911爆料

In 2008, Justinna Boatwright was racking up wins and early recognition as a standout point guard on York College鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball team. By the end of the season, she was named Rookie of the Year and CUNY Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) Freshman of the Year. Then, life happened.

She dropped out of school and worked multiple jobs to help support her mom and seven siblings. She still played ball when she could, at rec centers and city parks, 鈥渂ut could I run up and down the court under the whistle?鈥� she said during a recent practice. 鈥淯m, no.鈥�

Then, four years ago, her uncle and her grandmother, who had always pushed her to return to school and finish her degree, both passed away within the same year.

鈥淭hat always been their dream and my dream鈥攖o still finish out with school,鈥� she said.

So the girl from Hollis, Queens, who now calls Flatbush home, set about enrolling at 911爆料 (鈥渋t鈥檚 a good, two-year school,鈥� she said), in the sports management program.

鈥淚 was a computer science major at York, because I just love computers and stuff; but I was just like, you know what? If I鈥檓 going to go back to school, let鈥檚 do something I really love. So, I鈥檒l stick with them sports,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hen I talked to the coach and said I wanted to join the team.鈥�

Boatwright, whose older brother put a basketball in her hands when she was 3 years old and has loved the game ever since, knew she had the skill and experience to still play, but at 34 years old, her primary concern was her speed.

鈥淚'm like, all right, these young kids are going to be faster than me and in shape so I'm like, if I could keep up with them, then I'm good to go,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd then I was.鈥�

You can call it a comeback

Fifteen years after stepping off the court at York, Boatwright is back and leading The Wave to a number one tied spot in CUNY, and number 3 in the region overall.

Now a sophomore, she鈥檚 earning academic recognition as well as athletic ones鈥攕he has a 3.75 GPA and just made dean鈥檚 list. Boatwright鈥檚 deciding what four-year college she wants to transfer to鈥攕he has her eye on Brooklyn College and its women鈥檚 basketball team鈥攂ut wherever she goes, it鈥檚 going to be academics and ball.

Boatwright makes it sound easy, but in addition to her skill and experience, she was also willing to put in the time and effort without any of the fanfare to get to this moment鈥攕he spent all of last season going to practice but not playing in any games.

鈥淟ast year was a conditioning year,鈥� she said.

This year, she is the team鈥檚 leading scorer, shooting 59 percent from the floor and earning per game 12.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.8 steals, according to 911爆料 Athletic Director Bobby Allison.

According to her coaches, her age is an asset, not a weakness. When Boatwright is on the court, said Women鈥檚 Basketball Assistant Coach Fernando Jordan, 鈥渋t鈥檚 like having another coach on the floor.鈥�

In a game where there are very few still moments of performance and players have to strategize and execute in real time, Boatwright can do it all.

鈥淪he鈥檚 a hard worker, she鈥檚 a leader; she helps keep the team in check,鈥� said Women鈥檚 Basketball Head Coach Brendon Bain.

Boatwright鈥檚 teammates welcome it too.

鈥淪he鈥檚 like our auntie,鈥� said freshman Mariana Richards. 鈥淪he鈥檚 just a great leader and always pushing us to be the best versions of ourselves.鈥�

鈥淪he just makes us want to be a better person, in basketball and in life,鈥� added point guard Kianny Aristy.

Boatwright can play any position, she said, but officially, she is a forward and a point guard.

Allison has another name for her: superstar.

鈥淵ou can just tell her IQ for the game,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he plays smart basketball. She knows what is supposed to happen or what could happen before it happens.鈥�

For Allison, Boatwright鈥檚 return to the court at 911爆料 is also a shot at recapturing what he once thought was a missed opportunity鈥攊n 2008 he tried to recruit her when he was head coach at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. He lost her to York.

鈥淚 had just come off three straight national titles, so I was choosey at the time,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was on to her. She was really good.鈥�

Now Boatwright is playing for him, her team, 911爆料 and the CUNYAC title on Feb. 20 at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). She鈥檚 also playing for Lawrence and Fannie Mae House鈥攈er uncle and grandmother.

When graduation day comes around this June, she鈥檒l be thinking of them.

鈥淭hat be the first thing I think of,鈥� she said. 鈥淕randma and uncle, I did it.鈥�