Britney Freeney

Britney Freeney

Interview II

Picture the excitement of the world’s top athletes playing the sport that you admire within two feet away from you! “It was cool meeting all of the players and helping out at the NBA All Star Game that was in Dallas,” said Justin Saunders.

Saunders grew up in Athens, TX and graduated from LaPoyner High School in 2006. At the age of five Saunders had an interest in basketball but it was not until the first grade when he began playing. “I started playing in the first grade and I have been attending Dallas Maverick’s basketball camps since then.”

During high school Saunders skills showed off during his last year when he was awarded participation in prestigious games. “I was a very decorative basketball player, and as a senior I was named to the First Team All Henderson County, First Team All Region, and All East Texas basketball teams. Saunders was not only an athlete, but he was an academic honorable student as well. He was the salutatorian of his class and also mention in the Academic All State Team.

The summer after graduating high school, Saunders became one of the coaches teaching the youth how to play basketball with the Dallas Mavericks Camps. “I knew the director of the camp very well and because of my skill and focus he asked me if I wanted to be part of the camps.” Saunders was also the ball boy for the Dallas Mavericks. He would clean the floor and rebound for the athletes.

He kept this job with the Mavericks and was offered a scholarship to LeTourneau University in Longview, TX. Saunders said he transferred to Stephen F. Austin because it was still near his hometown but it was far away from his parents. Basketball ball was still an interest to him but he knew that he would only make it to the collegiate level and not the professional level. Focused on his academics Saunders decided to make economics his major at SFA.

During the experience with the Dallas Mavericks, he got to meet the players and have seen their victorious side as well as their defeated side. He said it was overwhelming seeing 7 feet men cry after loosing the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat in 2006. Not only have he meet players but he have meet singers, artist, rappers, and actors as well.  Saunders said he had seen many famous people like Lil Wayne, Eva Longaria, Usher and many more.

According to Saunders, his job was not as cool as it seemed to be. One time Sean Marion mouthpiece fell out “and I had to pick it up,” said Saunders. He also said that during one of Usher’s performances he spent an hour painting a basketball black because usher wanted it black. “Usher only held the ball for a second.  I spent an hour painting the ball with a sharpie just for him to throw it in the stands,” said Saunders.

Saunders learned many things from the Mavericks experience that helped him in college and will help his future. “It taught me how to manage my time, and plan out events ahead of times.” Saunders said that he would have to leave practices early and maintain good grades in college while working with the Mavericks. Saunders also gained community service experience with the Mavericks because they would go to their sponsor’s corporations and set up fun events.

Saunders graduated from SFA in 2010 with a Bachelors of Arts in Economics. He decided to complete the Masters of Business Administration program at SFA. Although he wasn’t playing basketball on the collegiate level, Sanders played intramural basketball all four years at SFA and participated in two championship games.  Also while at SFA, he was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Award, a member of both Texas Phi Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the 1923 Society Quality Enhancement Plan design team. Saunders was also a sophomore homecoming nominee and a member of the driving jacks review board.

Saunders is currently in his final semester of the MBA program and will graduate in December 2012. He recently had an intern with the Pioneer Natural Resources of Dallas, TX. His employment with the Dallas Mavericks is not part of his future. “I enjoyed the experience but I plan to enter the oil and gas industry,” said Saunders. His future plans are to become employed with the company he that offered him the intern.