The journey of JJ Overton

It's only fitting that Jamison "JJ" Overton finishes his basketball career in the state it started in. Home for Overton is San Diego, California but his love for basketball originated in Utah.

It wasn't until the eighth grade when Overton moved away from Utah, but his dad, Chuck played two seasons at Salt Lake Community College, so JJ grew up around the game. He remembers picking up a basketball at age three, playing in the Junior Jazz league, and at the time being taller than everyone he was playing against.

JJ's journey to Weber is something he doesn't take for granted and is all part of the process to get where he is now.

"I look at it as if I wouldn't be who I am right now if I didn't go the junior college route," JJ said. "I mean, I got to experience going from high school and play the next level up instead of jumping four levels up and play division one, you know, so I got to experience sitting on the bench my whole first year and barely playing, knowing I can, I can play with these guys and these college guys, and that made me stronger."

Not only did JJ get stronger mentally, he got physically stronger because he knew that if he wanted to take the next step and continue playing basketball after junior college it was part of the journey. He put on weight, worked on his craft, and trusted the process. In his time at Saddleback College he earned first-team all-conference honors twice and secured a scholarship to Utah Valley University tocontinue playing the game he loves.

During his time at UVU he averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game but his biggest accomplishment came off the court. He earned his degree in psychology and knew with the extra year of basketball being granted to seniors because of COVID he wanted to play. Weber was the perfect fit.

"They told me they could help me with my master's degree," JJ said about Weber. "I was talking about academics first and then outside of school, I just wanted to keep playing basketball. I also wanted to make sure my life is in order before I just take off running with basketball because you never know what will happen."

JJ plans to get his Masters Degree in Criminal Justice and go into the FBI Academy. He loves knowing why things happen or why people do what they do. Which translates onto the basketball court when scouting opposing teams and players while prepping for the next game. In his short time at Weber one thing has stood out to him about the culture within the program.

"It's a winning culture and if you're going to be here, you have to work like nothing is given," said JJ. "We are here to work and everybody one through fifteen, all of them work just as hard as the starters and the top players."

That hard work is something JJ knows well. The way he carries himself both on and off the court is similar. Life has taught JJ lessons not many get at a young age so he's always trying to smile, even if it is in the middle of a close game.

His advice to his younger self that we could all learn from?

"When things get tough the sun is going to shine the next day, even when things are hard," said JJ.

Weber State University Athletics

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