By Jacob Verket
Sports Editor
After a three-year career as a starter on the Mira Costa varsity basketball team, senior Justin Strings will be taking his talents to Sacramento State University for the 2014-15 season.
Since the age of four, Strings has known that basketball is his main interest and passion.
“Basketball has always been a part of my life,” Strings said. “My family is big on the sport, and I picked it up.”
Many factors went into Strings’ commitment to Sacramento State, such as the support system at the university.
“I really like the coaches and the school,” Strings said. “I feel like the area is nice and also that I can have a successful academic and collegiate career.”
With interest coming from many college coaches, it seemed that Strings would have an abundance of options, but none of the schools reached out to the star athlete as effectively as Sacramento State.
“It was great to have a lot of schools in contact with me, but I ended up being just a number,” Strings said. “With Sacramento State, I felt that they were truly interested in me.”
Strings is a three-year starter on the varsity team. His success in Costa’s basketball program has only grown with experience. This season, Strings has averaged 20.9 points per game thus far.
“Justin displayed a very high skill level from his sophomore year on,” coach Jeff Amaral said. “I knew he could compete with the best. The reason Sacramento State showed so much interest is because Justin is versatile. I know they look for players who have high character, and Justin fits that profile.”
According to Amaral, Strings’ on-court efficiency and positive demeanor will be missed when he leaves. Strings averaged 14.2 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game in his junior season.
“We will miss the points and the rebounds, but we will miss his productive demeanor and spirit along with his strong work ethic every day in practice,” Amaral said. “He is a joy to coach and to be around every day.”
Strings does not want his basketball career to end at Sacramento State, and he hopes to continue at the professional level.
“It depends on how well I do,” Strings said. “If an opportunity shows up for me to play basketball later on, I will consider it, but I would love to keep basketball in my life forever.”
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