Head Coach Scott Padgett on Coleman
ON THE RECRUITING TRAIL
“Even going back to his time in high school, you could definitely see that he’s an explosive playmaker and that he can get downhill, get in the paint and either create for himself, or set up an easy basket for others. He has a great work-ethic and love for the game. He also competes on every play and wants to win. Those are the things that definitely draw your attention as a coach.”
DURING HIS TIME AT SAMFORD
“Since he’s been on campus, I think he’s kind of validated the direction that we were heading. Last year, we had a group of four or five guys that would get in the gym and do a little bit extra, but Justin, the first day he could be on campus, we had workouts in the afternoon at 2 p.m., and he was in the gym at 6 a.m., getting extra shots up. Then, the second day he was on campus, he was in the gym at 6 a.m., getting shots up. So, before you know it, other guys are getting up early and shooting in the gym, and I think that’s just part of the way that he’s already helping to make our team better.”
Redshirt (2016-17): Transferred to Samford from the University of Alabama and redshirted the season due to NCAA transfer rules.
Sophomore (2015-16): In his second season at Alabama, he played in 33 games, starting seven times … led the team shooting .890 from the free throw line (73-of-82) which ranks as the second-highest percentage in school history … also averaged a team-best 3.3 assists per game … led team in assists in 21 contests, had 12 games with five or more assists and 11 double-figure scoring games … scored a career-high 24 points against Oregon (12/21) while setting a career high in field goals made (7) and matched his highs in field goal attempts (16) … finished with 21 points at LSU (2/17) while dishing out five assists and matching his career high with five threes … scored 18 points and collected a career-high eight assists to go along with a game-high three steals vs. Louisiana-Lafayette (11/20) … led team with 18 points on four three-pointers in NIT game at Creighton (3/15) … scored 18 points against Winthrop (12/16), while also dishing out five assists … finished with 15 points to go along with five assists in the win over Ole Miss (3/10) … scored 15 points and had four rebounds while shooting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc at Mississippi State (2/2) … scored 14 points against Missouri (2/6) while recording five assists and going 5-of-6 at the free throw line … scored 14 points, going a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line and added six dimes while also matching his career high with five rebounds against South Carolina (1/16) … finished with nine points at Auburn (1/19) while leading the team with five assists … made first start of the season at Clemson (12/13) and dished out five assists while grabbing a career-high five rebounds … finished with 10 points while going a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line win the win at Florida (2/13) … scored a team-high 10 points against then-No. 23 Xavier (11/26) … had five assists and added six points in 27 minutes in the season opener against Kennesaw State (11/13).
Freshman (2014-15): A member of the SEC First Year Academic Honor Roll ... played in all 34 games, starting in nine contests … finished third on the team with 48 assists … led UA in three-pointers and assists six times and in steals five times … set a career-high in points (22) while sinking five three-point baskets in the second half at Arkansas (1/22) … also set career-highs in three-pointers attempted (7), steals (3), free throws made (7) and free throws attempted (8) in that game … recorded 14 points and three steals in the win over Stillman (12/19) … led the team in assists (3) and scored nine points against Southern Miss (11/20) … scored 10 points off the bench in the NIT win over Illinois (3/17) … was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line and finished with nine points at Auburn (2/17).
High School: Played under head coach Cedric Lane at Wenonah High School … ranked No. 1 on AL.com's A-list of top seniors in the state of Alabama … named the 5A boys Player of the Year by the Alabama High School Athletics Association … a two-time member of the boys basketball "Super Five" team awarded to the top five players in the state … averaged 28 points, six assists, six steals and five rebounds senior year … the Final 48 MVP in 2013 … was a four-time all-state honoree, including first-team honors in each of his last two seasons (2013 and 2014) … also a four-time team most valuable player … helped lead Wenonah High School to a 34-2 record, the Alabama 5A state championship and finished the year nationally ranked during his junior season in 2012-13 … averaged 20.3 points, 7.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 steals a game as a junior … holds school record for career triple-doubles, including recording 40 points, 15 assists and 12 steals in a game … rated by 247Sports.com as the No. 43 prospect in the nation, the ninth-best player in the nation at his position and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Alabama … rated by ESPN.com as the No. 22-ranked player in the region and the 75th best overall, while both Rivals.com and Scout.com gave him a 4-star rating.
Personal: Born Feb. 14, 1996 in Birmingham, Ala. … son of Patricia Coleman.
