MBB: Pride Profile - Justin Wright-Foreman

Hempstead, NY - While many may say that Hofstra University sophomore guard Justin Wright-Foreman has come out of nowhere this season, his success is not surprising to his coaches or Justin himself.

"This season has been a great experience for me personally," said Wright-Foreman. "Coming into this season, I knew it was going to be a big year for me as we lost four seniors. I just had to come in and work really hard. The coaches believe in me and that is the most important thing."

After limited playing time in 27 games as a freshman where he averaged 1.6 points and 0.3 rebounds per game, the coaches' belief has paid off in a big way. Wright-Foreman has emerged as Hofstra's leading scorer in 2016-17, averaging 15.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest through 25 games. He is also one of the most dynamic players in the Colonial Athletic Association with an ability to score in every way possible. He leads the team with 149 field goals and is third with 41 three-pointers. Give him some room and he will drain jumpers from anywhere; play him tight and he will blow by you on his way to the basket with an explosive first step.

Hofstra Men's Basketball Coach Joe Mihalich humorously stated, "Justin probably should have played more last year. The coach should have played him more!" He then added, "But, honestly, that lineup was tough to crack and we were winning almost every game. Justin has always believed in himself, so his confidence on the court never wavered and it has shown."

Seeing limited minutes was not easy for Wright-Foreman, who was an All-New York City First Team selection and a second team All-New York State pick as a senior at the High School for Construction in South Ozone Park, New York. He averaged 23.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game as a senior and was the fifth leading scorer in the PSAL. "I spent a lot of time talking with him last year when he wasn't seeing the minutes that he wanted," said Hofstra Assistant Coach Craig "Speedy" Claxton. "I told him it is a learning process, and to be patient and just wait your turn. I am glad he listened to me!"

Being on the bench and observing such a dynamic group of seniors did have its benefits. "I learned a lot by watching last season. You pick up on little things – what to do and what not to do – that you don't always see when you are on the court. Juan'ya (Green) and Ameen (Tanksley) were a big help to me as leaders. Juan'ya would help me improve on coming off of ball screens, while Ameen helped me stay in my zone and helped build up my confidence that no one could stop me from going left or from scoring when I got to the basket."

Wright-Foreman is also quick to credit the coaching staff. "The coaching staff has been great to play for," he said. "Coach Claxton has been a major help in improving my game. He gives me great advice on what to do on the court and how to handle certain situations. Coach Farrelly is always boosting my confidence and helped me out when I was having trouble shooting free throws. Coach Mihalich is a great guy. He is always talking to me and giving me positive vibes, which gives me the confidence to play better."

In his 25 games this season, Wright-Foreman has scored in double-figures 19 times including in each of his last 15 games. He has three 30-point performances including back-to-back efforts against Northeastern and at Drexel. After going through a rough patch early in the season, Wright-Foreman thinks he turned a corner during the game against Kentucky at the Barclays Center. After not scoring in the first half, he poured in 14 points in the second half. "I have a habit of starting games off slowly and then getting into it as the game goes on," he explained. "After that game I said to myself that I really need to start applying myself and get right into attack mode." That game began his double-digit point-scoring streak, so it is plain to see that he is heeding his own advice.

Coach Mihalich never doubted Wright-Foreman's ability, even during his early season struggles. "Justin is a gifted scorer," Coach Mihalich said. "He has all the physical attributes. He is strong, very athletic and he can jump out of the building. But he also has this belief that every shot should go in, which is something that all the great scorers believe. But, while he is a great scorer, we want to make him a great player and he will be the first to tell you that he needs to improve in other areas. But he has always had the confidence and work ethic."

The second-year player does agree with Coach Mihalich's assessment. "I work on all parts of my game, but I think that the area that has improved the most is my pull up jump shot," he stated. "I have been working really hard on that every day after practice. But I do need to work on becoming a better defender and I also need to be more vocal on the floor."

One of the people who are happiest for Wright-Foreman's success is Coach Claxton, who was the point person in recruiting him. "I am so proud of Justin because he has worked so hard and has earned everything," said Claxton. "Before I started coaching at Hofstra, I was back at Christ the King and was working at one of their summer camps. Justin was attending the camp, so that is where I first met him and got to learn about his game. I saw a good scorer like we are all witnessing right now. He is a guy that has a gift of knowing how to score the basketball and you saw that at a young age. It is very rewarding to see it working out for him now."

Wright-Foreman remembers his Hofstra recruitment quite well. "It was great having a guy with Coach Claxton's credentials recruit me because I want to get where he has been," he said. "My goal is to play in the NBA and him recruiting me was one of the major factors that brought me here in addition to the academics. Having him recruit me gave me the motivation that I can really get somewhere playing basketball."

In discussing players that he models his game after, Wright-Foreman cited C.J. McCollum, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook. "They are the players that I try be like based on their hunger and how hard they play. They give it all every game and never make excuses."

Wright-Foreman's talent, work ethic and desire have gotten him this far. With two more years in a Hofstra uniform, fans of the Pride can look forward to even bigger things.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Justin Wright-Foreman: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#3 Justin Wright-Foreman
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

Hofstra University Athletics

Players Mentioned

#3 Justin Wright-Foreman

Players Mentioned

#3 Justin Wright-Foreman