Louisville Gets Commitment From Justice

Shelby Valley senior Elisha Justice, one of the frontrunners for Kentucky Mr. Basketball honors this season, has committed to the University of Louisville.

The 5-foot-11 Justice had scholarship offers from Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville but will walk-on to Louisville beginning next fall.

Shelby Valley coach Jason Booher said Justice’s decision was based on a number of things, including “the history that coach (Rick) Pitino has with development preferred walk-ons” and that Justice is thinking about going into college coaching.

“This would allow him to play under a Hall of Fame coach that has a history of developing great coaches as well,” Booher said. “He looks forward to playing for coach Pitino and the University of Louisville.”

U of L and Justice have been talking for a few weeks. Pitino and assistant coaches Ralph Willard and Steve Masiello went to Pikeville to watch Justice play on Wednesday.

Justice was named MVP of the All A Classic as a junior when he helped Shelby Valley to the small school state title and then guided the Wildcats into the Sweet 16 after winning the 15th Region Tournament for the third time in five years.

Justice averaged 17.1 points and 3.4 rebounds and also led his team in assists (164) and steals (116). He already has 414 career steals and is likely to break the state record for career steals next season. The mark is 499 set from the 1992-95 seasons by former Wayne County player William Shearer.

Courtesy of Jody Demling’s C-J Blog