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Hawks Announce New NBL Next Star

28 Aug
4 mins read
NBA hopeful and sharpshooter Justinian Jessup has become the latest NBL Next Star, signing to play for The Hawks for the 2020-21 Hungry Jack’s NBL season.

NBA hopeful and sharpshooter Justinian Jessup has become the latest NBL Next Star, signing to play for The Hawks for the 2020-21 Hungry Jack’s NBL season.
 
Jessup recently completed his senior NCAA season at Boise State University where he etched his name in its record books with an incredible 325 threepoint shots over four years. He was the 1st player in Boise State history to record 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, 150 steals and 50 blocks.
 
The 22-year-old is eligible for the NBA Draft in October and has attracted interest from a number of teams. The Draft will feature another NBL Next Star and NBL Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball who is widely expected to be drafted in the top three after his season with the Hawks.

Jessup said he was excited about joining The Hawks and the chance to play in the NBL. “It’s a great opportunity to get NBA exposure while playing against tough competition,” he said.
 
“I’m excited about playing for Coach Goorjian and all the young guys on the team. LaMelo playing last year was huge for the league and brought a lot of exposure (for the NBL) and I know it’s going to be tough competition which I’m really looking forward to.”

Hawks Head Coach Brian Goorjian said: “I am very pleased that Justinian will be part of The Hawks program. 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.”
 
Hawks Co-Owner Bryan Colangelo said: “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 maximise 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. 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.” 

Hungry Jack’s NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said: “We are thrilled to have Justinian as the latest NBL Next Star. He will join Josh Giddey (Adelaide 36ers) and Mojave King (Cairns Taipans) as Next Stars this season.
 
“The Next Stars program has been a huge success, with LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton projected to be 1st round picks in October’s draft and Brian Bowen a member of the Indiana Pacers.
 
“Justinian’s situation is unique compared to previous Next Stars, as he is coming off his senior college season and is eligible for October’s NBA Draft. If he is drafted, it gives his NBA team the option to place him with The Hawks this season, similar to the ‘draft and stash’ model that we saw the New Orleans Pelicans use last season with Didi Louzada at the Sydney Kings.
 
“We have even heard talk out of NBA clubs that suggests that having preagreed to play this season with The Hawks makes Justinian more attractive as a potential draft pick in 2020, but in the event that he goes undrafted, we know plenty of NBA teams that will continue to have their eyes on the NBL to track his development ahead of their following season.”
 
Jessup joins Emmett Naar, Deng Deng, Dan Grida, Deng Adel, Sam Froling, Isaac White, Tyler Harvey, Cam Bairstow, Max Darling and Justin Simon on The Hawks’ roster for the upcoming season

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