Jason Switlik

Justin Saunders is an Economics Master’s student at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he first obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Justin grew up in a small east Texas town named Athens where he developed a love for the game of basketball, which eventually led him to Stephen F. Austin where he was involved with many organizations on campus.

Saunders graduated from LaPoynor High School in 2006 as the Salutatorian of his class. Saunders not only made an academic impact but also made a name for himself playing basketball as a 6 foot 3 inch post position at LaPoynor, “ I was a very decorated basketball player and as a senior was named to the Academic All-State Team, played in two state all-star basketball games, was named First Team All-Henderson County, First Team All-Region, and All-East Texas basketball teams.” Saunders then said he accepted a scholarship for basketball to LeTourneau University located in Longview but transferred his sophomore year to Stephen F. Austin.

During his high school and college tenure he was able to land a part time job with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks where he said he started as a ball boy but worked his way to the floor team.

“Paul Pierce dropped his mouth guard on the ground one time and I had to pick it up, it was pretty gross” he said.

 Saunders was able to witness 2 NBA finals that the Mavericks played in, and the second one that the Mavericks actually won. He also was able to meet many famous people working for the Mavs, as famous as rapper Lil Wayne and his group.

“It was funny every time one of them got up they had 10 security guards with them” Saunders said.

 Saunders also worked the entire NBA All Star Weekend when it came to Dallas in 2010 where he was a rebounder during the 3:Point Contest and also got to be on the court during the infamous Slam Dunk Contest.

Usher was performing there one night in all black clothing and the lights in the whole stadium would be shut off and Usher would throw a basketball into the stands and then start performing. Saunders said he remembers he got to the stadium an hour early to help out and Usher was doing his walk about on stage when one of Ushers assistants came up to Saunders and asked him to find a way to make the basketball black. So Saunders literally ran around Cowboys Stadium looking for sharpies to color this basketball and spent that whole hour before coloring the basketball that would only be used for about 2 seconds when Ushers show started.

Saunders also saw Shakira and Gretchen Wilson perform during All Star Weekend but mainly worked the practices for the NBA East team.

When talking about his work for the Mavericks, Saunders was also asked if he ever got close with any of the players on the Mavericks team. He went on to say that he never really got close with any of them but was able to hang out quite a bit of players like Erick Dampier. Saunders was invited to one of the player’s birthday parties once but said “it was kind of sketchy so I decided not to go” Saunders was also asked if he ever thought he could have been playing along with those guys, as he laughed and said not a chance because of the size difference.

While Saunders was an undergrad at Stephen F. Austin he was involved in many organizations such as Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Quality Enhancement Plan Design Team, Driving Jacks Review Board, and the Safe Ride Programs United Committee. Saunders also received quite a few awards such as the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2009, and was also a sophomore homecoming nominee.

When asked about his plans after college, he said he would like to move back to Dallas and work for an oil and gas company in a finance or accounting department. He was then asked why he wouldn’t try working for the Mavericks and said those guys put in a lot of hours and receive little pay.

Saunders plans to graduate December 2012.