Like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird did for the NBA, Justin Robinson saved the JSBL. The league was a hotspot for NBA/ABA talent in the 1970’s at Jerry Lynch’s and the NBA players kept on coming in the 1980’s at the Headliner, and the 1990’s to the mid 2000’s at Birch Hill and St. Rose. The crowds that once packed those venues began falling off as NBA appearances became more rare. There was a resurgence in 2011 when Rutgers and Seton Hall sent near full teams, but by the time 2013 rolled around the NBA and major conference college presence was all but gone.
Suddenly, there was little interest from sponsors. A league which once had 8-10 quality teams was down to 6 teams. The media began printing articles that the JSBL was likely to close its doors, but the league held on by a thread and moved over to Wall.
Then, in a blur there was this young kid from Monmouth lighting up the scoreboard. The crowds didn’t come for everyone, but they came when he played. They continued to come for him ...
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