Justin (JJ) Bushu '21 Recruiting Profile

    My love and passion for basketball began in 2nd grade when I started playing with our local 3rd grade travel team. One of my first big accomplishments as a basketball player was making the varsity basketball team as a freshman let alone starting my very first high school game to begin my career. I learned to adapt to the speed and physicality at the varsity level pretty quickly. One thing that really fuels me to work hard and get better is our loss to #1 state-ranked Benton Harbor, who defeated us in a war for the district championship my sophomore year. We faced adversity throughout the whole game, but kept battling and got it to within two points late in the second half, but fell just short. That tough loss hurt a lot, and still does, but that pain is helping me re-focus and pushing me to become the best possible point guard I can be. 

    One of the biggest obstacles for athletes in High School is time management. Playing three sports has taught me how to manage my priorities and make sure my schoolwork comes first, followed by sports, then social time. I have been able to focus and raise my grades significantly this year by becoming much better at managing my time, a skill that will help me in the future as well.  

    I am very lucky to have supportive parents and three brothers, who all push me to be the best I can be. My brothers are/were all successful athletes as well, so that has helped me develop my toughness, as there is no mercy in any brotherly game. It has also taught me how to deal with taller, stronger defenders and helped me understand how to handle different coaches, teammates, and classmates. 

    I feel my biggest strengths are my court vision, ball-handling and basketball IQ. I am constantly working to make my shot more consistent, and to maintain my quickness, while getting bigger and stronger. My goal after high school is to play for a college basketball team and compete for championships. I will do anything in my power to succeed at the college level and make everyone around me a better person, and athlete. I always put my school work first, but when I have no more to do, I am always in a gym shooting and getting better so I can help lead my future team to success, on and off the court.