Folks, I know the majority of BBN haven’t seen Elisha Justice play and I’ll bet that most haven’t or will not give Justice a chance until he has proven his doubters wrong. He may be 5’10 or 5’11, but he is a human specimen. Justice has played varsity high school basketball for 4 years now and has been to the Sweet 16 three times, finally winning a State Championship his senior year. He’s a flat out winner! Justice is one who has captured most of Eastern Kentucky’s eyes and hearts over the past 3-4 years with his flash, shooting, athleticism, and defense.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Elisha owns the KHSAA steals record with 540. He finished his high school career with 2,086 points, 633 assists, 540 steals and 470 rebounds. At the recent KHSAA Sweet 16, Justice finished with 97 points, 15 assists and nine steals in just four games. He was 13 of 22 from three-point range and 22 of 23 from the free-throw line in the tournament as well. He also impressed former Kentucky head coach, Joe B. Hall. As Hall was quoted saying that “[I]he could play for anyone in the country[/I].” Justice was also given the nickname, [I]”bullet”[/I] by former UK coach and current Louisville head coach Rick Pitino (who Justice is currently committed to signing with as a preferred walk-on).
For those of you who doubt him because of the competition he saw in the 15th region, he has played fierce competition in AAU since he was in middle school at Dorton. He’s been on teams that have defeated the 2008 Florida starting five, faced a four star WVU commit in Noah Cottrill and scored 37 points on him. As a junior, Elisha and his Shelby Valley team defeated Walton (GA) and the Sweet 16 MVP shut down Georgia Tech signee and four star guard Glen Rice Jr. Justice held him to 10 points while having scored 33 with 10 assists and 3 steals. Justice also went head-to-head with Memphis commit Will Barton this past summer in the AAU circuit and scouts say he really held his own.
If you dislike him already because he is committed to Louisville, then FYI it’s because he wants to become a college coach in the future. We all know Pitino has sprouted out some pretty darn good coaches (i.e. Billy Donovan, Tubby Smith, John Pelphrey, Travis Ford, etc.). So Elisha was just doing what’s best for him. Justice also holds offers from Jacksonville, EKU, Army, and Navy.
I’m sure I haven’t convinced most of the doubters out there, but at least give the kid a chance before you write him off, that is if he does indeed sign with Kentucky. Most of us know that Kentucky isn’t going to sign enough five or four star players to fill the roster next season if everyone leaves that’s rumored to. I trust coach John Calipari and I’m fine with it if he offers Elisha or if he does not offer him.
GO BIG BLUE!!! :uk:
