Valdosta State Athletics, Head Coach Mike Helfer, and Blazer basketball are proud to announce the hiring of former Blazer Blake Justice as the program’s new assistant coach.
“This is an amazing opportunity, having the chance to coach at the same school I played for,” said Justice on Wednesday. “Valdosta State has been a huge part of mine and my family’s life for the past four years, and I could not ask for a better community to be a part of. Coach Helfer bringing me on board is just the icing on the cake in terms of all of the opportunities he has given me throughout the years. It’s an honor to start my coaching career under someone with as much experience and success, and the chance to coach my younger brother will be a special opportunity that doesn’t come often at the collegiate level.”
Justice joins the Valdosta State coaching staff as a familiar name among faithful followers of Blazer basketball. Just two seasons ago, the sharpshooting guard joined the short list of 1,000 point scorers in the Valdosta State basketball record books. His display of skill and knowledge as a player led to a graduate assistant coaching position with Helfer’s staff in 2016-17, where he helped guide the Blazers to a 26-6 record and a Gulf South Conference Regular Season Title.
“Blake was a tremendous player for us and truly understood the game as well as any player I have ever coached,” said Helfer in reference to his newest assistant.
Following his tremendous three-year playing career at Valdosta State, Justice complemented his time as a graduate assistant coach with a stint as a professional player in Germany.
“I knew he would make a great coach after his professional playing days were over, and I am excited about adding him to our staff,” added Helfer. “He will bring an understanding of our system, Valdosta State, and the Gulf South Conference that is unique for a young coach. One great quality that he brings to us is the ability to relate to players and communicate in a way that gets the point across effectively.”
Justice will officially join the program and begin work with Blazer basketball on August 7th.
http://blog.drdishbasketball.com/team-drills-drive-and-pitch-drills-with-coach-ed-andrist
