Boise State Athletics
Photo by: Boise State University
Jessup Signs on as NBL Next Star
8/31/2020 4:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
WOLLONGONG, Australia - Boise State alumnus Justinian Jessup is the latest Next Star of Australia's National Basketball League. Jessup signed his first professional contract with The Hawks of the NBL, Australia's top league, while maintaining the ability to be selected in the upcoming NBA Draft. If chosen, an NBA team could elect to place Jessup with The Hawks for the upcoming season.
Jessup capped his illustrious Boise State career as the top three-point shooter in school and Mountain West history, making 325 triples, including a single-season school-record 98 three-pointers this year. Jessup is the only player in Boise State history to amass 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 steals and 50 blocked shots. He also set the school's single-season free throw percentage record as a senior, making 70-of-73 attempts (95.9 percent).
Jessup is projected as the No. 60 overall pick in the NBA Draft (Oct. 15), according to the latest mock draft by Sam Vecenie of The Athletic.
"I am very pleased that Justinian will be part of The Hawks program," Hawks Head Coach Brian Goorjian said in the team's release announcing the addition of Jessup. "He will give the team a real lift offensively, being a fantastic three-point shooter and a very good all-around player. He has a drive to play in the NBA and The Hawks will do everything possible to help him achieve his goal. He has a great work ethic and is an excellent teammate from all reports."
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Hawks Co-Owner Bryan Colangelo added: "NBL Next Stars is all about developing projected NBA players by exposing them to the tough, physical and talented athletes competing in our league. With Brian Goorjian at the helm, we have tailored our Hawks basketball program to maximize the growth and performance of young basketball talents like Justinian Jessup to ultimately prepare them for the game's highest level of competition."
"With his elite level shooting ability, Justinian possesses a definable NBA skill which ideally complements the modern NBA game," said Colangelo, a two-time recipient of the NBA Executive of the Year Award. "Since speculation started about Justinian joining our program, I have heard from several teams who have him on their radar and are tracking his progress in advance of the upcoming NBA Draft. Our collective goal this season is to get Justinian prepared for his promising basketball future by focusing on his strength and physicality while refining and enhancing his overall on-court skills."Â
Jessup capped his illustrious Boise State career as the top three-point shooter in school and Mountain West history, making 325 triples, including a single-season school-record 98 three-pointers this year. Jessup is the only player in Boise State history to amass 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 steals and 50 blocked shots. He also set the school's single-season free throw percentage record as a senior, making 70-of-73 attempts (95.9 percent).
Jessup is projected as the No. 60 overall pick in the NBA Draft (Oct. 15), according to the latest mock draft by Sam Vecenie of The Athletic.
"I am very pleased that Justinian will be part of The Hawks program," Hawks Head Coach Brian Goorjian said in the team's release announcing the addition of Jessup. "He will give the team a real lift offensively, being a fantastic three-point shooter and a very good all-around player. He has a drive to play in the NBA and The Hawks will do everything possible to help him achieve his goal. He has a great work ethic and is an excellent teammate from all reports."
Â
Hawks Co-Owner Bryan Colangelo added: "NBL Next Stars is all about developing projected NBA players by exposing them to the tough, physical and talented athletes competing in our league. With Brian Goorjian at the helm, we have tailored our Hawks basketball program to maximize the growth and performance of young basketball talents like Justinian Jessup to ultimately prepare them for the game's highest level of competition."
"With his elite level shooting ability, Justinian possesses a definable NBA skill which ideally complements the modern NBA game," said Colangelo, a two-time recipient of the NBA Executive of the Year Award. "Since speculation started about Justinian joining our program, I have heard from several teams who have him on their radar and are tracking his progress in advance of the upcoming NBA Draft. Our collective goal this season is to get Justinian prepared for his promising basketball future by focusing on his strength and physicality while refining and enhancing his overall on-court skills."Â
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