JJ Starling is a name that has been making waves in the world of college basketball. The Syracuse point guard, who hails from the same city as his university, is poised to be one of the top players in the country this upcoming season. In a recent interview with Shoes, Starling opened up about his journey, from his time at Notre Dame to his decision to transfer to Syracuse, and the impact of his faith on his growth as a player and a person.
Starling's college career began at Notre Dame, where he had a solid freshman year, earning a spot on the ACC All-Freshman team. However, as he reflects on that first season, Starling acknowledges that it was a learning experience filled with ups and downs. "It didn't go as I had planned at all," he admits. "There was a bunch of ups and downs, you know, battling some little tweaks, some little injuries or whatever."
Despite the challenges, Starling credits his coach, Mike Brey, for pushing him to reach new heights. "Even though we had a shaky year, he still pushed me as an individual player," Starling says. "He challenged me, really helped me to, like, a high standard." This mentorship played a crucial role in Starling's development, as he learned to battle through adversity and believe in himself.
The decision to transfer to Syracuse was not an easy one, but Starling felt it was the best move for his growth. "I believed in what coach Autry was doing here, and I knew he was gonna bring in some really good players, so I just bought into what he was trying to do," he explains.
Starling's faith has been a constant throughout his journey, and he credits it as a driving force in his success. "I had to lean on my faith," he says. "I had to pray to him just to give me clarity, just give me confidence in who I am as a person and believe in the work that I put in." This reliance on his relationship with God has helped Starling navigate the ups and downs of his college career, and he believes it will continue to be a source of strength as he takes on an even larger role with the Orange this season.
As Starling prepares for his junior year, the expectations are high. He's been touted as a potential candidate for a major breakout season and a key piece in Syracuse's quest for an NCAA Tournament berth. But Starling remains focused on the task at hand, determined to continue his development and help his team achieve its goals.
"I want to be the best player that I can be," Starling says. "I want to be able to play both ends of the court, and just do whatever it takes to win." With his talent, work ethic, and unwavering faith, there's no doubt that JJ Starling is poised for a breakout season that could cement his status as one of the premier players in college basketball.
Watch the full JJ Starling interview here: https://youtu.be/Nsn6LKarNLk
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