Justin Huff

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notable=May 2008
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Justin Huff (born August 15, 1988) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Jersey Express in the American Basketball Association (ABA).

Background

Commonly nicknamed "The Chosen One", the Washington, Pennsylvania-born Huff was slowly promoted in the national media as a future ABA star while still in high school. At the age of 18, he was recognized at a Uniontown YMCA, and since has been signed to an agency. He has since set numerous youngest player records. In his first season, he received the ABA all rookie honors and led his team in both scoring and assists. He has led the Express to there first playoff berth in 2 years and took them clear to the Eastern finals, he has also been named to the all ABA team 2007 and was recently re-signed to a $700,000 contract through 2010.

Huff is listed as a point guard, but can also play shooting guard. This versatility has led to his classification as a "shooting point." Huff was a member of the Pennsylvania all basketball state team and has received many votes to remain there through 2008, even as recently as this month he has been working with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson shooting before and after Cavalier practices. At the end of last year he was the first player under 6ft and over 200lbs to run the 40 yard dash in 4.8 or better.

High school

Although Huff did not play any seasons while attending Bethlehem Center High School, it wasn't until his tenth grade year that he really started playing basketball. In his eleventh grade year he was starting to be mentioned among peers during pickup games. During his senior year Huff and a friend and fellow classmate won two tournaments at Mon Valley Career and Technical Institute.

Seasons

During his rookie 07-08 season Huff was second in voting for Rookie of the year honors missing the achievement by two votes. His first game of the season Huff managed to score 28 points while dishing out 13 assists to lead his team to a 12 point victory. In his fourteenth professional game Huff managed career highs in both assists, points, and 3 pointers, he finished the game with 41 points, 16 assists, and went 10-13 from behind the arc. He also set records for steals and assists in a single season for a rookie. When the season was over Huff averaged 19.8 ppg, 8.7 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 steals playing 38.4 minutes per game. Although he had an outstanding season most owners felt the need to overlook him in the offseason, at 5'8 and 220 lbs most coaches and owners felt their team wouldn't benefit from him. Although most felt this way he still signed a 5 year contract this offseason netting him around $175,000 a year.

Personal life

At 5'8 and over 200 lbs most people always doubted what he could do athletically, an avid sports fan Huff played four seasons of football, earning a trip to the playoffs in 96. In the summer of 2003 he spent the time at his fathers where he states he started to want to be the best at basketball for unknown reasons. During a pickup game his 10 grade year he was told he couldn't play after missing two three point attempts and it has been said he's practiced five hours a day since then and has improved dramatically each year. he currently lives in Vestaburg, Pennsylvania and plays everyday he's at home with other players from his hometown. He wears number 21 because his rookie season he was listed with having a 21 inch vertical jump.

External links

* [http://www.freewebs.com/mexicophenomz website]