Cousin is a familiar name to Radford University basketball fans. His father, Rod, played at RU in the 80s. Justin is a 6-2 guard from Burlington, N.C. He averaged 11 points per game last season.
Fans of the Highlanders have enjoyed watching and learning about the members of the Radford men’s basketball team on the court. What they might not know much about is the more personal side of each student-athlete. To get to know each of our men’s basketball players better, the team at RadfordAthletics.com interviewed each of them to find out a little bit about their time at Radford, how they got into basketball and more.
Next up is Justin Cousin, a redshirt senior who started all 32 games a year ago and provides valuable leadership as the elder statesman of the team.
Question: Who has been most influential person in your basketball career, from the day you first picked up a basketball to now?
Cousin: Definitely my dad. He was the reason I started playing basketball and the reason that I’m still able to play basketball today. He has a lot of great knowledge and experience to offer me and make me a better player and person.
Q: What are your personal and team goals for this season?
Cousin: My personal goal is to be the best leader I can be to my teammates and my team goal is to win the Big South Championship.
Q: How did you choose the jersey number, 14?
Cousin: My dad wore 14 in high school and they retired his jersey number. Then I attended the same high school and wore 15 before they retired that number too. When I got to Radford, I wanted to wear 15, but it was already taken so I went with my dad’s old number 14 jersey.
Q: What is one word you’d use to describe your style of play?
Cousin: Strong
Q: Do you have any pregame rituals?
Cousin: I pray, and I listen to music.
Q: What song, album or artist do you listen to while getting ready for a game?
Cousin: I actually like listening to love songs. I prefer to get mellowed out instead of too pumped up before a game.
Q: When you first got to Radford, what teammates or coaches took you under their wing and welcomed you into the Radford family?
Cousin: Rashun Davis, Taj Owens and Lucas Dyer were the three guys that I spent the majority of my time with, and I still talk to those guys all the time. R.J. Price and Javonte Green were great too. The whole team was a tight knit family, and it was something I wanted to be a part of.
Q: If you could have dinner with three people, past or present, who would they be?
Cousin: Jesus, Kendrick Lamar and Barak Obama
Q: What professional player do you model your game after?
Cousin: C.J. McCollum, combo guard for the Portland Trailblazers
Q: Favorite NBA team
Cousin: Wherever Lebron James is playing (so the Cleveland Cavaliers right now).
Q: Favorite food
Cousin: “Funky Ribs”
Q: Favorite movie
Cousin: Friday
Q: Favorite class at Radford
Cousin: University 100
