How BYU’s ‘Glue Guy’ Jared McGregor Is Using Basketball to Bless Lives Across the Country
PROVO, UT — July 2025
Jared McGregor isn’t the leading scorer. He doesn’t throw down thunderous dunks or dominate highlight reels. But in locker rooms, huddles, and community centers across the country, the BYU senior guard has quietly become one of the most influential figures in college basketball.
Dubbed BYU’s “glue guy” by teammates and coaches alike, McGregor’s impact transcends box scores. The 6-foot-4 walk-on from Gilbert, Arizona, is averaging a modest 3.1 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game — yet his value is immeasurable. Known for his relentless hustle, emotional leadership, and uncanny ability to bring people together, McGregor has turned his role player status into a powerful platform of purpose.
But what makes Jared’s story remarkable isn’t just what he does for the Cougars — it’s what he’s doing beyond the court.
“Basketball Is My Calling Card, But Service Is My Mission”
McGregor, a returned missionary who served in Detroit, has used his time at BYU to start the “Hoops & Hope” Initiative, a traveling outreach program that blends basketball clinics with mentorship and faith-based service across the country. Funded by NIL deals and partnerships with local sponsors, the initiative has brought McGregor and teammates to underserved communities in nine states so far in 2025, including inner-city Detroit, rural Appalachia, and several Native American reservations in the Southwest.
At each stop, Jared leads free skills camps for youth, organizes food and clothing drives, and speaks at schools and churches about resilience, faith, and finding purpose through teamwork. For many of the kids he meets, it’s the first time they’ve heard a college athlete talk about service over stardom.
> “I tell them, I wasn’t the most talented guy in the gym. I’m still not. But I work hard, and I care. That’s what makes a difference — on a team and in life,” McGregor says.
Coach Pope: “He’s the Soul of This Program”
BYU head coach Mark Pope says McGregor’s influence on the program is both rare and foundational.
> “Jared doesn’t just hold the team together — he lifts it. He’s a connector. In the age of transfers and highlight culture, he reminds everyone what college basketball can still be about: sacrifice, love, and leadership,” Pope said.
Teammates call McGregor the “team chaplain.” He’s the first one to volunteer for community service, the last one out of the gym, and the guy who always knows when someone needs a pick-me-up. Forward Fousseyni Traoré says, “Jared might not drop 20 points, but he’s dropped 20 blessings in every life he’s touched.”
National Recognition Growing
McGregor’s off-court impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. In June, he was named one of 10 national finalists for the 2025 Allstate NABC Good Works Team, recognizing student-athletes who make outstanding contributions in their communities. He was also featured in an ESPN “Heart of the Game” segment, and NIL collectives across the country have reached out to help expand “Hoops & Hope” nationwide.
Despite the buzz, McGregor stays grounded.
> “If the only thing people remember about me is that I played at BYU, I’ve failed. I want them to remember what we gave, not just what we won,” he said.
The Road Ahead
With one more season of eligibility, McGregor plans to finish his degree in Family Life and pursue coaching, hoping to stay involved in both basketball and ministry. After BYU’s overseas tour in Spain this summer, he’ll take “Hoops & Hope” to three more cities before fall training camp begins.
His vision is clear: basketball is just the vehicle. The mission is people.
> “Basketball opens the door. Love walks through it,” McGregor says with a quiet smile. “That’s what I’m here for.”
In a sport driven by stats and stardom, Jared McGregor is proof that the biggest impact often comes from the smallest numbers — and the biggest heart.
