For many of the great boys basketball players of this 2014 class, it seems like we all have been watching them on the varsity level forever. One of the members of that class who is on varsity for his third season now is Dobson guard Kodi Justice.
The senior Mustang has been a member of very talented teams and each year, has been one of the leaders of the team. But this time around, Justice along side fellow senior Ryan Richardson, is the go-to guy on the team that is looking to make a big run this February.
“I embrace the role,” Justice said. “Anything to help the team win. If it’s me scoring, me passing, me rebounding. Just whatever I need to do to help the team win.”
“It would be great to win state,” he added. “All of this hard work we’ve put in with Coach (Rick) McConnell. Being here for four years, we’ve been working it would be great to win state and help him win state.”
That is Justice’s primary focus as we sit here today. But there are big things ahead for him that are in the back of his mind. Justice has been committed to Arizona State for quite some time now and the days of that becoming a reality are approaching fast. Justice and ASU head coach Herb Sendek know one-another well and he has a good idea of what kind of role he will play once he first arrives on campus.
“I am probably going to play a combo guard playing at the one and the two depending on whatever Sendek needs when I get there next year,” Justice explained. “Whatever he needs, that’s what I am going to play to get on the court.”
With guard and wing players like Jahii Carson, Jermaine Marshall and Shaquille McKissic who all start in the backcourt for the Sun Devils this season expecting to be gone after this season, Justice along with fellow member of 2014 class in point guard Tra Holder from Los Angeles could step in and play big roles. But before that can happen, Justice knows where he needs to get ready.
“I obviously need to get stronger and more athletic,” Justice mentioned. “I know that, we all know that. But he (Sendek) likes the way I shoot the ball, I’m unselfish, and I am a team leader.”
For a player who has been present on the high school basketball landscape for quite some time now, it is hard to believe it is quickly coming to an end. Justice is just embracing each moment as it comes.
“I am kind of ready to get to ASU and play but I am ready to finish the season here with the team,” he stated. “We’re playing well right now but yes, I think it’s finally coming to an end right now.”
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Jared Cohen
A born and bred Arizonan, Jared has had great passion for the hometown teams all his life. He now channel's that passion into covering the pro, college and high school teams around the state as a Multimedia Reporter for Sports360AZ.