Heart Over Hurt: Buchanan’s Relentless Drive
Jordan Beasley
When evaluating players with which to build a program, there’s no doubt that talent and physical ability is at the top of every evaluator’s wish list. But if you look past pure skill, there are other intangibles and characteristics that are equally as important and defining.
In any sport, regardless of level, physicality, mental toughness, discipline, dependability and adaptability are a few key pillars that are mixed into the fabric of a successful team. Each individual athlete must excel in their role, understand expectations and execute at a high level.
That said, there’s one trait that’s often overlooked and not talked about nearly enough. There’s a certain characteristic that needs to show up and be present throughout a long season.
What’s that characteristic, you ask?
Selflessness.
In simplest terms, selfless means putting the wants, needs and wishes of someone else ahead of your own. It means to give of yourself and sacrifice for someone or something else, even when you’re inconvenienced or compromised.
Littered with talent and players who bought into their individual role(s), expectations for the 2024-25 Boise State men’s basketball team were high, and rightfully so. The team, which was fresh off three-consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, amassed a 26-11 record, compiling the second-most victories in a single season in program history.
New to last year’s squad was Javan Buchanan, a highly-regarded transfer from the NAIA ranks. A native of Lafayette, Indiana, Buchanan attended Lafayette Jefferson High School before spending his first two collegiate seasons at Indiana Wesleyan in Marion.
Leading the team to a 50-16 (.758) record spanning two seasons (2022-24), Buchanan started 59-of-66 games played and averaged 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 50.2 percent from the field. After tallying robust offensive numbers, including 20 games with at least 20 points, Buchanan was primed and ready for the next challenge.
Eyeing a larger stage with more opportunity, there wasn’t a shortage of interest in a highly-skilled and multifaceted 6’7, 230-pound forward. Sought after by many, Buchanan ultimately chose Boise State.
In his first season in blue and orange, Buchanan shot over 50 percent from the floor and totaled 9.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in just under 21 minutes per game. His on-court efforts earned him Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year honors, becoming the first Bronco to accomplish the feat since Alex Hobbs in 2018.
Did Buchanan make an immediate impact? Yes. Was he everything the coaching staff thought he would be in his first year playing Division I basketball? Most certainly.
But what most people don’t realize is Buchanan dealt with a level of adversity that not many would have been able to handle, manage and play through. A selfless individual and the ultimate teammate, Buchanan put the team and the season before himself and suited up for each of Boise State’s 37 games, which was tied for the eighth most amongst all D-I men’s basketball programs.
Buchanan successfully making it through a college basketball season with a compromised back and hip surprises most people when they initially hear what he went through. His level of play through it all is what amazed his Boise State teammates and coaching staff.
“From what he was dealing with, the production he was able to have over the course of the year was remarkable,” said assistant coach and former Boise State point guard Lexus Williams. “To think about him being Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year in such a physical conference while playing a physical position and a physical brand of basketball is absolutely sensational.”
When the team reports for offseason workouts each year, all student-athletes complete flexibility testing and are given an individualized mobility plan that gets integrated in weightlifting and training room treatment sessions. Matty Richardson, who serves as Boise State’s director of athletic training, recalls Buchanan lacking considerable range of motion in his hip, which isn’t totally uncommon for that time of year.
Fast forward to October, and the team was a couple weeks away from its season opener against Oakland at ExtraMile Arena. After numerous practices, hours of film study and dozens of weight room and on-court development sessions, Buchanan was ready to showcase his talent and ability, but something was still amiss.
“I don’t really know what happened, but all I remember is guarding the ball out of bounds,” Buchanan said. “I was trying to guard an inbounds pass, but it felt like something was pulling me down in my back. I had never felt that before and thought that something might be wrong.”
Still experiencing discomfort in his hip and back, the team, led by Richardson, decided it was best for Buchanan to undergo further diagnostic testing. The results of the testing showed a significant issue that would be challenging to play with, but that wasn’t going to stop Buchanan.
“Initially, I focused on making sure Javan was completely informed on what the test results meant for his immediate participation, and most importantly, how it could affect his long-term health,” said Richardson. “I wanted to explore all options so he could make an educated decision on how he wanted to proceed. I knew it would be challenging, but with Javan being a fiery competitor and an elite teammate, I wanted to make sure that we were prepared to do whatever we could within reason to help him be successful.”
Buchanan’s desire to play was a shock to no one, but with the guidance of Dr. Nathan Grimm, the team’s physician, the goal was to make sure all interested parties were on the same page as to what needed to happen for Buchanan to safely participate. The protection of his long-term health was at the forefront, and Buchanan being informed and comfortable was paramount.
The epitome of toughness, Buchanan didn’t miss a beat while dealing with extreme circumstances. With the pain at a constant five or six at all times, traveling on road trips, falling asleep at night and playing at a level he’s accustomed to was an immense challenge.
Gradually taking a toll on his mental wellbeing, his decision to show up for his teammates without so much as a second thought was admirable. His willingness to push through and still play at a relatively high level surprised all, including Dr. Grimm.
“As a sports medicine surgeon, I’m routinely in shock and in awe at our athletes’ ability to manage pain, play through pain, show up and give it 100 percent,” Dr. Grimm said. “With the help of the excellent medical and support staff, ‘JB’ was able to safely play—game after game, practice after practice—despite the discomfort the injury brought him. It’s the strong commitment of the coaches and the medical team to allow our players to have direct access to the best possible healthcare that allows them to optimize their health throughout the season.”
Diligent in taking care of his body physically, Buchanan routinely worked on his overall fitness which helped him suit up game after game. With offseason surgery looming, the sole goal was to get him feeling as good as possible so he could go out and perform to the best of his physical ability.
Not only did he play, but Buchanan scored in double figures 19 times and had three 20-point efforts. Making it through the season, including the inaugural College Basketball Crown, is an accomplishment that resonates with Buchanan.
“I’m definitely proud of myself,” Buchanan said with a look of appreciation on his face. “It wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of how I battled, even on the hard days. It taught me a lot about myself in terms of being able to push through and endure, but I’m proud that I made it to the end because I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.”
Not many fully understand the strain an injury has on an athlete, both physically and mentally, but Buchanan met every obstacle, every hard day and every challenge with hard work and optimism. His attitude and the work he put in is what amazed those around him.
“It’s amazing how dedicated he was to making sure he was putting himself in a position to safely participate physically,” Richardson remarked. “His dedication to the daily treatments that were required of him was something I don't know if many could withstand. With no days off, he showed up every day for 14 weeks straight with such a positive mindset, and I’m not sure I've been around another person that was so driven to make the most out of a situation while dealing with the pain it took to complete the season.”
Echoing Richardson’s sentiment, Tyler Whitmer, Boise State’s former assistant athletic director, sports performance added to the praise for Buchanan.
“His attitude towards the rehab process didn’t surprise me whatsoever. There’s no question Javan Buchanan is a high-character individual. We knew he was going to have the right mindset going into it. Who he is as a person and the gratitude he has to be a Bronco, he felt a responsibility to be all in while attacking his rehab.”
With the season in the rearview mirror, Buchanan was faced with the inevitable—surgery. He completed a hip procedure, and then eight days later, a back operation.
If you speak to a medical professional, they’ll tell you that each of those procedures are challenging to recover from based on the amount of treatment and rehabilitation required. With abundant risk, Buchanan showed why he’s cut from a different cloth.
“He seamlessly navigated both surgeries back-to-back, and flew through the rehab quicker than I would have anticipated for how serious the surgeries were,” Dr. Grimm shared. “He was back on the court safely practicing with the team months before I would have expected.”
Yes, you can attribute Buchanan’s return to the court to who he is as a person and the work he put in, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the entire staff pulling in the same direction. He owes the improvement in his physical health to the guidance of expert medical professionals, a knowledgeable performance coach and a bright, young assistant coach.
“They’re really good at their jobs, and that’s the main reason I was able to play,” said Buchanan. “They were constantly monitoring me, asking me how I felt and doing whatever they could to make sure I was ready for the next game. For that, I’m forever grateful.”
Though instrumental in the process, Richardson expressed her gratitude to Dr. Grimm for the role he played.
“The access we have to Dr. Grimm is unmatched. I cannot do my job without him and how willing he is to be present and available for whatever is required. The level at which he managed Javan throughout the year is not something you get everywhere, and it was extremely successful for a reason.”
With the start of the 2025-26 season tipping off on Monday, Buchanan is primed and ready for a breakout campaign in his final dance. He was the Mountain West’s top reserve with back and hip issues, so his potential and production could be limitless with his health intact.
“He could be the player of the year in our league,” said Williams. “He’s definitely a first-team, all-league player, and from what he did throughout the summer and preseason, that’s where he’s headed. Where he goes next is greater than what any of us can see at this point.”
So, what constitutes a successful season for Buchanan? It’s simple. Winning.
“I feel like my old self now, and dare I say, I feel better, honestly,” Buchanan said with a smirk. “In terms of personal stuff, I couldn’t care less. I just want to win and advance to the NCAA tournament. I want to end my senior year with the thought that I gave it everything I could and with no regrets so I can be at peace.”