University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Justin Abson
January 27, 2025 | Men's Basketball, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Justin Abson remembers his first dunk very well. Now a 6-foot-9 junior forward on the Georgia men's basketball team, Abson was about 6-3 in seventh grade when he threw one down for the first time. But the best part is, he didn't celebrate it. He acted like it was no big deal, even as his teammates went nuts around him.
Abson is in his first season with the Bulldogs after spending two years at Appalachian State. He started 56 of 66 games for the Mountaineers, averaging 7.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks a game.
During a recent Quick Chat, Abson, from Coconut Creek, Fla., just north of Fort Lauderdale, talked about being big, that first dunk, his early connection to Bulldog freshman Jordyn Kee, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: When did you get big? Were you always the biggest kid in your classes at school?
Abson: I was usually always the tallest one, so I feel like I was always big, really. It was awkward a little bit, like even now, I go out in public and people are sometimes just staring at me, but I kind of just embraced it.
Frierson: What does the average-sized person not understand about what it's like to be 6-foot-9 or taller?
Abson: We can't really fit into airplanes as easily as normal people, and it's just a lot of everyday things like that. Getting into normal-sized cars is another one.
Frierson: I'm guessing you learn early on to duck your head whenever you pass through a doorway.
Abson: I'm still learning that one, to be honest. I forgot to duck not too long ago when I was leaving my apartment. So I'm still learning here and there, but it doesn't happen as often as it used to.
Frierson: Do you remember your first dunk?
Abson: I think I was in the seventh grade. We were in layup lines (warming up before a game), and when I dunked it, I acted like I've been there before — even though inside I was excited.
Frierson: How hard was it to hold it in and not run around all excited?
Abson: It was pretty hard [laughs] because everyone around me was cheering. I was just acting like it was another day.
Frierson: Did you play a bunch of different sports when you were growing up, or was basketball always your main thing?
Abson: Soccer was actually my first sport, but it wasn't really cut out for me. After that, I ended up trying basketball. And I don't know that many people around here know this, but my first AAU team was with Jordyn Kee — his dad (John) was the head coach.
Frierson: What is your best moment ever on a basketball court?
Abson: I think when I accomplished 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in high school. That was pretty cool.
Frierson: Did you tower over everyone in high school, or was your competition good enough that there were also tall guys like you on the other team?
Abson: I would say I was the tallest guy the majority of the time, but we did play some other good teams that had other future Division I guys.
Frierson: What is something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Abson: I'd say macaroni and cheese. The basic stuff is fine but I like it a little bit fancier. My mom (Cheryl McDonnough), whenever she makes it, it has to come right out of the oven. If it doesn't come right out of the oven, if it has time to cool, I'm not a big fan of it.
Frierson: How are you in the kitchen?
Abson: I'm decent. I'm not gonna lie and say I'm great, but I'm decent. I can cook the basic stuff like eggs, bacon, some waffles, and then some pasta for lunch and some salmon for dinner.
Frierson: Who is the funniest guy on the team?
Abson: I don't know, that's tough. It might be between Jordyn and Somto (Cyril) because they're both really funny. It's just who they are.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Staff Writer
Justin Abson remembers his first dunk very well. Now a 6-foot-9 junior forward on the Georgia men's basketball team, Abson was about 6-3 in seventh grade when he threw one down for the first time. But the best part is, he didn't celebrate it. He acted like it was no big deal, even as his teammates went nuts around him.
Abson is in his first season with the Bulldogs after spending two years at Appalachian State. He started 56 of 66 games for the Mountaineers, averaging 7.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks a game.
During a recent Quick Chat, Abson, from Coconut Creek, Fla., just north of Fort Lauderdale, talked about being big, that first dunk, his early connection to Bulldog freshman Jordyn Kee, and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:
Frierson: When did you get big? Were you always the biggest kid in your classes at school?
Abson: I was usually always the tallest one, so I feel like I was always big, really. It was awkward a little bit, like even now, I go out in public and people are sometimes just staring at me, but I kind of just embraced it.
Frierson: What does the average-sized person not understand about what it's like to be 6-foot-9 or taller?
Abson: We can't really fit into airplanes as easily as normal people, and it's just a lot of everyday things like that. Getting into normal-sized cars is another one.
Frierson: I'm guessing you learn early on to duck your head whenever you pass through a doorway.
Abson: I'm still learning that one, to be honest. I forgot to duck not too long ago when I was leaving my apartment. So I'm still learning here and there, but it doesn't happen as often as it used to.
Frierson: Do you remember your first dunk?
Abson: I think I was in the seventh grade. We were in layup lines (warming up before a game), and when I dunked it, I acted like I've been there before — even though inside I was excited.
Frierson: How hard was it to hold it in and not run around all excited?
Abson: It was pretty hard [laughs] because everyone around me was cheering. I was just acting like it was another day.
Frierson: Did you play a bunch of different sports when you were growing up, or was basketball always your main thing?
Abson: Soccer was actually my first sport, but it wasn't really cut out for me. After that, I ended up trying basketball. And I don't know that many people around here know this, but my first AAU team was with Jordyn Kee — his dad (John) was the head coach.
Frierson: What is your best moment ever on a basketball court?
Abson: I think when I accomplished 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in high school. That was pretty cool.
Frierson: Did you tower over everyone in high school, or was your competition good enough that there were also tall guys like you on the other team?
Abson: I would say I was the tallest guy the majority of the time, but we did play some other good teams that had other future Division I guys.
Frierson: What is something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Abson: I'd say macaroni and cheese. The basic stuff is fine but I like it a little bit fancier. My mom (Cheryl McDonnough), whenever she makes it, it has to come right out of the oven. If it doesn't come right out of the oven, if it has time to cool, I'm not a big fan of it.
Frierson: How are you in the kitchen?
Abson: I'm decent. I'm not gonna lie and say I'm great, but I'm decent. I can cook the basic stuff like eggs, bacon, some waffles, and then some pasta for lunch and some salmon for dinner.
Frierson: Who is the funniest guy on the team?
Abson: I don't know, that's tough. It might be between Jordyn and Somto (Cyril) because they're both really funny. It's just who they are.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files.
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