NCCU’s Justin Wright: The New Star of the MEAC

DURHAM, NC — Guard Justin Wright led the North Carolina Central Eagles to a phenomenal win over the Delaware State Hornets 84-79 in overtime on Saturday evening in McDougal-McLendon Arena.

The Eagles struggled with the 2-20 Hornets throughout the game and only led once during regulation. All hope appeared to be lost for the Eagles with four mins left to play as NCCU trailed by 12. However, Sophomore guard Justin Wright came up huge down the stretch for the Eagles scoring eight of his career-high 32 points in the final minute of regulation.

Down three with eight seconds remaining, Wright came down and nailed a contested three to tie the game for NCCU, sending the contest into overtime. In the extra period, Wright went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line down the stretch and propelled the Eagles to victory.

Wright told me after the game, “I felt great. I didn’t even know I had 32, I was just in the moment. In the second half, we were down and I told myself that it’s time to start making some plays.”

Wright went to Farmville Central High School and led the Jaguars to a 29-2 record in his Senior season before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down basketball. In his Freshman year with NCCU, Wright didn’t see many minutes on the floor for the Eagles, averaging just five minutes per game.

“After we lost in the quarterfinals last season I took that to heart,” Wright stated. “I was in the gym every single day in the off-season trying to change my body. I had to focus on changing my mindset and my scoring ways to become a better player.”

Wright has proven to be the Eagles’ go-to guy and now leads the team in scoring averaging 13.3 points per game while shooting 42% from downtown. After averaging just five minutes a game in his Freshman campaign, Wright played all but two minutes in the overtime win over Delaware State.

NCCU head coach Levelle Moton recruited Wright to Central with hopes of him becoming the player he is now. “Tonight he was huge for us. Justin prepares every single day and he’s an everyday guy,” Moton said. “What you all are seeing now is just a manifestation of the work he puts in on a day-to-day basis.”

In Central’s last eight wins Wright has averaged 21.4 points on 58% shooting from the field. The Eagles are currently on a four-game win streak and sit in second place in the MEAC with a record of 14-11. Last season the Eagles finished below .500 for the first time in five years.

Coach Moton is aware Wright’s growth has been an integral part of Central’s turnaround season. “He’s been great for us all year. He’s the most deserving kid out here because he works harder than any player in the area. I’m really proud of him.”