ATHLETE PROFILE: Men's Basketball's Justin Rennis

Springfield native Justin Rennis has been an Owl for the last three years. If you've been at Westfield State for a few years, you may know him for his high-flying dunks on the basketball court.  His dunk late in the 2020 conference championship game finished off Worcester State, and Rennis led the charge for Westfield State's journey back to a title game in the 2021-2022 season, where they just won their second consecutive MASCAC championship and trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Justin has had an amazing college basketball career, winning three conference titles and going to a fourth championship game in his four seasons, and he was just named to the MASCAC all conference first team, after averaging 13.4 points, five rebounds, and almost three assists per game.

What brought you to Westfield ? - "My friends, my guys (former Owls' players Bahu Abdul-Wadud, Moody Bey, assistant coach Wesley Jackson). Westfield also has a really good criminal justice program which also led me here, it's probably the main reason, but overall I wanted to hoop and I wanted to hoop with my guys. Plus it's an in-state school for me so it was cheaper," said Rennis.

Difference between NEC and WSU ? - "Westfield is a bigger school. When I was going to New Hampshire I was expecting certain things.  Well, I didn't know what to expect because I had never been out there. When I went over there, I didn't see much diversity among the students there. Nothing against the school, but the only thing that had some diversity to it was the basketball team. Westfield's diversity is the biggest difference for me."

What about basketball wise, what's different? - "There's a lot of similarities, I feel like at NEC everyone wants to win, and I feel the same way about Westfield, we all want to win. We are all champions so I feel as if there is no difference."

How has your game evolved?  - "In high school I was that guy, so when I went to NEC I couldn't just be that guy, plus on top of that I had broken my hand. When I was injured, I really had to focus on how to be better. Coming into Westfield, I really worked hard on my shooting ability. I feel I really improved shooting-wise. My handle has improved and overall skill as well."

How did it feel to win a title ? - "It feels amazing, you don't get tired of winning. I won a title at NEC but I didn't feel like I participated or contributed as much. You work towards a goal from the beginning of the season and at Westfield, we were talking about winning the title from preseason. When that goal becomes reality, there's no better feeling.  Especially when you manifest it early on, and I contributed this time, I felt amazing. If you took me out of the NEC lineup when I was there they probably still would have won. At WSU I made some big plays, and actually made an impact. "

When did you realize it was your time to step up as a captain ? - "Before being a captain, I showed flashes of captain characteristics, leadership. It was just a matter of time before I was actually really heard. Yeah, the players will listen to what I have to say, telling players certain things I see or notice that can help them and us, so it was just for the coaches to sit there and actually listen to me and what I had to say."

"When you don't have that captain title, it's easy to be overlooked or dismissed, that goes for anybody. As a captain, I feel it important for the coaches to sometimes listen to the players, even the younger guys. I wanted the other guys to feel like they have a place to be heard, and give their own input. Normally freshmen don't say much or have room for input, so I made them and everyone else feel comfortable to speak up to me or the coaches about what they are seeing."

What's your favorite thing about Westfield, athletically and academically? - "For athletics, the camaraderie. The way all athletes gel and are really cool with one another. Regardless of what sport you play, there's a lot of mutual respect. School-wise, the professors I feel do a really good job at being there for students, they will help you hold it down when you feel like you're lacking."

Do you have a pregame ritual? - "Before every game I have to eat. The night before I make sure to drink a lot of water and I watch 'Remember the Titans', which goes on the night before every game. When I wake up, I shower and then hop on the game [NBA2k] a little. I drink a lot of water and at least two body amours. On my way to the gym, I stay locked by listening to music and stretching right away. I pray right before every game that no one gets hurt, on our team or the opposing team."

What is the playlist like before games? –"It goes all over, in the morning i start with throwbacks like India Arie, Bill Withers, the Temptations and Marvin Gaye. I like to keep it calm in the morning. Right before the game I try to hype myself up, and I go back and remember and dwell on everyone who was there for me from the beginning, My dad (who passed away several years ago), my sisters, mother ,and aunties and just everybody. I listen to G Herbo, Meek Mill, No Cap, Lil Durk, and Youngboy."

How do you find balance between classes and basketball? - "Everyday, I try my best to find 2 to 3 hours out of my day to do some homework. No matter what, I'll find time for my work so I don't fall behind and can be fully focused on basketball."

Best memory at Westfield? - "Dunking late in the title game, and then also locking up the best player on Worcester's team. Seeing everyone on their feet after that dunk, it felt amazing to see how hype the crowd was."

What is something specific that motivates you? - "My mom, she works a lot, sometimes I just think - I want to make sure one day she doesn't have to work. She's worked two jobs since I was little, I want to make sure she will be good in life for all she's done for me."

What is your off-season like? - "A lot of hours in the gym, and working. Always make sure to still hoop, improve my game, and just stay around basketball in some way. Never away from hoops. When I'm not working I'm hooping, and when I'm not hooping I'm working. Me and Bahu hit the south end [community center] a lot."

What are your career goals after school? - "I'm not exactly sure yet, my major is liberal studies with a concentration in CJ, sociology, and business. Eventually I plan to be working with kids while having my own business operating on the side. I want to help kids in need, give back to the community."

Outside basketball, what are your hobbies? - "I like to play 2k, and if it's not basketball I like to chill with my guys, or learn new things. I try to teach myself new things all the time. Recently I've been teaching myself about credit and how it works. I've also been trying to get better at chess."

What they're saying about Justin Rennis . . .

Nate Martins, associate head coach – "My first reaction to Rennis was one, when will he play harder, and we should probably cut him! This was early in his career, and I have to say that I'm kind of eating my words which I'm happy to do. What a tremendous turn out. He's turned himself into a hell of a player and leader for us, I'm happy to say my initial response is not my response today."

Rich Sutter, head coach – "When you look at Justin Rennis, you see Westfield State, and the transformational aspect of the experience here as a student. He has grown as a human being, grown as a player, and grown as a person, and that's the greatness of Westfield State."

How would you say Rennis has improved since his first year here?

Wesley Jackson, assistant head coach- "Before, Justin was just an athlete, he really didn't have a position. We put him on bigs, and just an 8^th, 9th guy on the bench, and now he's our number 1 option. He can defend all five positions, turned into an efficient offensive player, which he wasn't before, he was just a dunker, and a get to the lane guy. Now he can stretch it out to the three, can hit the mid-range consistently, but his leadership is what has really changed. He sets the tone for the team."

Coach Sutter- "A thing I've noticed is his great familial support that he has, his mom is a wonderful person who has been supportive of his endeavors and his family has been in great support of him, but as a coach to watch him blossom that's what excites me as a professional and provides meaning in my job. To watch that young man take off and grow. Not only as a player but as a person."

Favorite part about his game ?

Coach Sutter – "His leadership on the floor, players on the team resonate and vibrate with him, and as a coach you can't ask for a better situation.  Truly has the greatest respect of his teammates and they trust him and so does the coaching staff. That's what makes everything work for us"

Impact on the court / off the court ?

Coach Jackson – "On court he is the energy guy for us on our team, when he's locked in he gets everyone else locked in.  Off the court, he's the guy everyone goes to if they are late or struggling in certain areas, he's everyone's motivation."

Coach Sutter - "I'd like to mention the faculty in the CJ department because they've been great mentors to Justin, especially professor Rizzo.  I think they have a great faculty/staff over there, and has been a very significant part of Justin's growth as a student."

Whats your relationship like ?

Coach Jackson - "We only have one relationship over here, and that's family, from the team now to teams in the past. Our mindset has always been family and always will be."

Coach Sutter – "Justin tells me what to do during games now, so it's a beautiful position that we're in.  He's assumed a coaching role on this team, right now me and him are totally in great alignment as far as what we're looking for on the floor. I couldn't be happier as a coach to watch him develop and blossom as a person."

- Written by Eric Perez, sports information intern