Photo Courtesy: UNBC Athletics

By Ethan Ready, Files from UNBC Athletics

Bolstering the backcourt

2020’s ‘AAAA’ Most Valuable Player opts to leave Lower Mainland for UNBC

May 24, 2022 | 8:11 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – The last time Justin Sunga was on the court for a competitive basketball game, he was hoisting the Most Valuable Player Award at the AAAA BC Provincial Championships. The next time he does so, he will be wearing Timberwolf green and gold. Today, the University of Northern British Columbia Men’s Basketball program announced the commitment of Sunga for the 2022-2023 Canada West season, and beyond.

“I chose UNBC because I have always wanted to study and play ball, away from the lower mainland and away from home, and I felt like UNBC was a great fit. I had a really good time up there on my visit. Todd (Jordan) was great, coaching staff is amazing, and they just made me feel at home.”

Sunga and his Burnaby South Rebels teammates earned the 2020 ‘AAAA’ BC Championship, and looked poised to make another run at a Provincial banner in his Grade 12 season, but the year’s athletic competition was cancelled due to the COVID 19 virus. He accepted an invitation to an ID camp at UNBC’s Prince George campus this spring, where he impressed the Timberwolves’ coaching staff with his speed, skill, and will to win.

“I am most excited to be playing basketball again. Playing at the U SPORTS level. I grew up playing and I am very passionate about it. Definitely, first year, I want to win games. Win, win, win. Long term, I would love to win a championship as a Timberwolf.”

Standing five-foot-ten, Sunga plays the game with considerable pace and tremendous basketball IQ, putting his opposition on their heels at both ends of the court. Honing his game over a number of years in the club system, the quicksilver point guard has worked with DRIVE Basketball, AthElite Basketball Academy, and the SBMC Eagles. He knows there will be a jump to the highest level of university sport in the country, but Sunga has never backed down from a challenge, and he isn’t about to start now.

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“The biggest adjustment will be having a new coach, a new team, a new program, and a new school. But I think I have been around the game long enough, and I am confident in my abilities.”

Look no further than Sunga’s considerable trophy case to understand the impact he had on Mike Bell’s Burnaby South program. On top of his Provincial Championship MVP honour, he earned MVP of the 2020 Western Canada tournament, MVP of the 2019 Rod Thompson Rebels Classic, and MVP of the 2019 Tamanawis Tournament, as well as 1^st Team All-Star nods at the 2019 Terry Fox Tournament, 2019 Abbotsford Snowball Classic, and 2019 ‘AAAA’ BC Provincial Championship.

“For the PG fans out there, what to expect from me for the next few years. A very quick point guard. Quick off the dribble, quick first step, I can shoot the three, shoot the pull-up, shoot the stepback. I love getting out in transition, involving my teammates, and most of all, I love winning.”

Sunga’s name has long been known to coaches around the Canada West conference, thanks to his ability to rise to the occasion in big moments. At the 2020 BC Championships, he averaged 15.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, on 46% shooting from three-point range. Despite sitting out the 2021-2022 season, it didn’t take long for the 19-year-old to make an impact on Todd Jordan and the UNBC coaching staff during his visit to Prince George.

“We are incredibly happy to welcome Justin to our program. The thing I love about Justin is that he has a habit of winning. He won all through high school and being the AAAA MVP and Provincial champion as a Grade 11 is a huge accomplishment. It is truly rare and takes a special player to achieve that. He’s a very good decision maker and playmaker, and he plays with a confidence and swagger that makes up for what he lacks in size. I am excited to welcome him to our team and watch him develop as a player, helping our team win games along the way.”

The starting point guard for the BC Provincial team at the 2018 National Championships, Sunga has played the game since he was seven years old. He points to his family as a tremendous factor is his freedom and ability to chase his dreams, and knows the opportunity to play at the U SPORTS level is the culmination of hard work and dedication.

“I love the sport of basketball because I was introduced to it at a very young age. Fortunately, I had two loving parents supporting me and pushing me every step of the way. My love of the game has only grown since then. I don’t think I would be who I am today without it.”

Set to join his new teammates in August to prepare for the upcoming Canada West season, Sunga will study in UNBC’s Arts program this fall. The dynamic guard has unfinished business, and is ready to wear a Timberwolf jersey, continuing a journey playing the game that shaped him.

“I am really damn excited to get started. Especially after being away from the game for two years. Losing my senior season to COVID. Basketball is something I really, really, really love. I am so excited to get started.”