In a sport where height is a big factor, junior point guard Justin Yamzon is not your typical college basketball player. Standing at 5’7,“ Yamzon is living proof that height is not everything.
“I just see it as a challenge, you just have to learn to use the things that work for you,” said Yamzon, an exercise and sports science major from Las Vegas, Nev. Though just 5 feet 7 inches, Yamzon uses his speed, agility, and ball handling to lead his team and is one of the Seasiders most prolific scorers this year.
Playing college basketball has been a dream of Yamzon’s since he was a little kid. Having parents who both played college basketball, it is no surprise Yamzon was playing basketball all his life.
“I had a ball in my hand as young as I can remember. Basketball has always been around me,” said Yamzon. Like most kids, Yamzon played a lot of different sports but early on he decided he wanted to focus on basketball.
Growing up his favorite player to watch was Steve Nash. Captivated by his speed, dribbling, and passing, Yamzon began to implement what he saw of Nash’s style into his own game.Yamzon continued to improve and progress through the years as he made his junior high and high school teams.
Then in his junior year of high school, a local family member in Hawaii put Yamzon in touch with then Assistant Coach David Evans. After going through the recruiting process, Yamzon was offered an athletic scholarship that he quickly accepted.
“I have family out here, and when I visited before my senior year, I just loved the school and the atmosphere. It wasn’t a hard choice with me,” said Yamzon.
After he was offered a scholarship, things got a little uncertain for Yamzon as he tore his ACL during his senior year of high school. Fortunately, the offer to play at BYU–Hawaii remained and Yamzon decided to get surgery on his knee.
Getting out to Hawaii in 2013, Yamzon spent most of his freshman year recovering from his knee surgery. Later in the season, Yamzon would forgo redshirting and received some game time.
Through his freshman and sophomore years, Yamzon served as back-up point guard to then starting guard Robbie Mitchell. Though some might find it frustrating, Yamzon relished the opportunity.
“It was a great learning opportunity for me. Robbie is a great guy and competitor,” said Yamzon. “He was always teaching me and helping me. We both respected each other and pushed each other to work harder.”
Now in his junior year, Yamzon has stepped into the spotlight and starting position for the Seasiders. With the increase in playing time, Yamzon’s productivity has increased. Throughout this year he is averaging 13.1 points and 4.1 assists a game. He also has had 23-point games two times this year.
“I love watching and playing with him. He is such a great player and friend. I have learned a lot from him,” said Brody Berry, a sophomore exercise and sports science major from Alpine, Utah.
Yamzon is also one of the few athletes at BYUH who is not a member of the LDS Church. Although not a member but growing up Christian, Yamzon quickly adjusted and fit right in.
“Justin is my boy. He is awesome to watch play and then to just be around,” said Brandon Barron, a sophomore exercise and sports science major from Sunland, Calif.
Yamzon is hopeful for this year’s season and is looking forward to finishing out his career along with the program’s last year before being phased out.
“It’s sad that the program is being phased out, especially since we have been so successful. But I really want to go out with a bang and finish my career and the last year of the program strong.”