Josh Howard honors Skip Prosser

Josh Howard often comes across as quiet and reserved publicly, but he wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s forthcoming and honest on any subject, including those that aren’t the easiest to talk about.

Howard’s college coach Skip Prosser died this summer shortly after jogging on campus at Wake Forest. Howard and Prosser were more than close. Though they butted heads early in their relationship, they would forge a lifetime bond.

Prosser talked about that bond with Howard last season before the Mavericks played at Charlotte.

“If I’m going into a street fight,” Prosser said in November, “I can’t think of anybody I’d rather have having my back than Josh Howard.”

Howard initially had trust issues with Prosser. After two years together, trust became basis of their relationship. Since Prosser tragically passed July 26, Howard has added two tattoos to honor his former coach.

“Trust” is inscribed on his right wrist. It won’t be visible during games, as Howard always wears wristbands, but the message is there. Higher on his right arm is a more direct tribute – “Skip.”

Howard also wore black sneakers Thursday night at Fan Jam, instead of his customary white, in honor of Prosser and plans to do it again.Howard was actually in Winston-Salem, N.C., when Prosser collapsed inside his office after jogging at the school’s track stadium.

“I wish he could have come to my camp that day,” Howard said, his voice beginning to crack slightly. “He went jogging instead.”