For as far back as Jordan Nix can remember, his father has never been fully healthy.

Nix, a freshman forward at West Lauderdale who splits time on the junior varsity and varsity squads, has watched his father, Robert Earl Nix, battle cancer, kidney failure and heart failure. The constant treatments have kept the elder Nix from being able to attend his son’s basketball games for a long period, and Friday night’s home game against Neshoba Central was the first time in nearly two years he was at West Lauderdale’s home court.

It hasn’t been easy for Jordan Nix and the rest of his family, but through the tough times, the bond he shares with his parents and his three siblings — Noah and Canaan, both older, and Christian, who’s younger — have allowed him to stay positive.

“It’s mostly been difficult,” Jordan Nix said. “My brother in college (Noah) had to come over after school to take care of us sometimes. He’ll help cook, and my cousins helped by bringing us food, because Dad was sick in bed.”

Jordan Nix said it’s difficult for his father to come to games, since he’s sometimes either not feeling well or having to use a cane to help walk even when he is up to going, but seeing his dad and his mother, Crystal, in the stands Friday was special and gave him extra motivation.

“It means I have more to prove when I see them out there,” Jordan Nix said. “I know I have to do well in front of them, but I also know they’ll support me even if I do poorly.”

Being in the stands for the first time in almost two years was a special moment for Robert Earl Nix Friday. Before then, members of his family would often FaceTime Robert Earl Nix when Jordan Nix got into a game.

“It means a lot to me to see him play and for him to want us here,” Robert Earl Nix said. “It feels great. We need to support these kids, and when he looks up and sees us here, it makes him play better.”

Basketball has been a big part of Jordan Nix’s life since he was approximately 8 years old, and both of his parents said they’ve noticed certain things about their son because of his dedication to the sport.

“He’s very quiet,” Crystal Nix began.

Said Robert Earl Nix, “But he’s relentless when it comes to his practices. He’s usually outside the house shooting hoops, sometimes until 10 or 11 at night. He’s very passionate about basketball.”

For Jordan Nix, basketball has been a way to at least temporarily forget the pain of seeing his father go through health issues. He also plays football, which helps build his speed and strength, but basketball is his first love.

“Usually I just do things to get my mind off of it,” Jordan Nix explained. “I’ve always been around the game. My brothers would play pickup with me, so I got closer to them, and they pushed me harder to get better. I’ve loved it throughout my life, and it’s something I’ve been dedicated to.”

Noah Nix, a West Lauderdale alumnus who played football at East Central Community for two seasons and currently plays for Belhaven, said he’s been impressed with how Jordan Nix has handled his father’s illnesses over the years.

“Pretty much ever since he’s been born, our dad has been sick,” Noah Nix said. “That’s something he’s seen his whole life. He’s a quiet kid who keeps to himself, but he’s pretty strong-minded. When something is wrong, he doesn’t let it be shown. That’s the type of kid he is. It’s hard for him, and he doesn’t want to speak on the situation, but he’s the one who can take issues and handle this. It bothers him, but he tries his best not to show it, and I understand that.”

Crystal Nix said she’s noticed the same thing about her son.

“Jordan has always been the one to nod his head and go on,” she said. “We weren’t around a lot for his early years because of being at the hospital, but it doesn’t stop him.”

In fact, it’s only fueled him more.

“I think it makes him more determined,” Robert Earl Nix said. “He’s one of those kids who doesn’t want to disappoint. I missed a lot of his life until he was about 7 or 8, and it’s tough dealing with it, but I was determined to be there. Sometimes I was able to do my dialysis in the car, but it was a struggle, and now it’s a struggle again because I lost a kidney a few years ago. Now, I try to schedule my dialysis around his games.”

Robert Earl Nix is a pastor at Redemption Worship Center in De Kalb, and Jordan Nix said his father’s faith and positive attitude has been a shining example to him.

“He’s always been a positive person,” Jordan Nix said. “Even when he was sick, he would still make jokes. He’s a hard worker who makes others around him feel better, and he’ll preach to others when they need it. He’s always been a great role model, and I’ve learned that no matter what you’re going through, you can still stay positive.”

Staying positive is something Noah Nix always tries to tell his younger brother, too.

“I just tell him not to get discouraged,” Noah Nix said. “Do the best in your classes, and don’t slack up just because things might not seem the best. Be the best you can be in the classroom, in sports and at home. When I’m not there, you just have to step up and help Mom as well if there’s a lot of pressure on her. That’s what I tell him, and I also tell him to not give up on the situation and to fight and be strong. You can’t let situations affect your everyday life. You just have to push through it.”

Jordan Nix has his whole high school basketball career ahead of him, and he already has goals in mind when it comes to athletics.

“My goal is to be the best player and to be the most dedicated player ever,” Jordan Nix said. “I like going against the older guys, because I want to out-hustle the guys next to me, and I know it’ll make them better and make others better, because they have to keep up their game if they want to compete.”

For Christmas, the family plans to go to Pensacola, Florida, in order to enjoy one another’s company. Crystal Nix said she’s looking forward to the trip and is grateful for the many blessings the family does have even with their trials and tribulations.

“We thank God that, despite how tough things have been, we’ve had great boys, and that’s because of the school and great education they’ve had,” Crystal Nix said.