THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Houston High School Athletics

Vincent Frison doesn’t like talking about the competitive battles his sons Jordan and Justin had when they were growing up. As they grew older, the games were less about beating each other and more about beating up on each other, the father said. Neither Jordan nor Justin like losing, especially to each other. Jordan, the older brother, wasn’t going to let his younger brother get the best of him. Be it in one-on-one battles or during training sessions. "We just molded each other really,” said Jordan, a former Overton basketball star and current Pittsburg State freshman. “I feel like I beat him up enough that I don’t think there’s anybody in his class that can rough him up or have more dog than him.” But as competitive as the two are, they needed each other to reach their potential. For Jordan, that was leading Overton boys basketball to its first 4A basketball title last season. For Justin, well he’s just beginning his high school basketball journey and at a different school. He's at Houston High. Yet, because of the success of his brother, the expectations are high for Justin. He’s also not dwelling on the outside expectations. He’s focused on writing his own story. “It’s good, but I also want to make my own name,” said Justin, a 5-foot-11 freshman guard. “It’s great being compared to some one, who in just one year, had so many accomplishments.” The comparisons are almost impossible to avoid. The brothers are both point guards and with what Jordan accomplished, naturally the expectation is Justin picks up where he left off. Jordan, Justin nor their dad Vincent, are worried about those outside expectations. If Justin plays his game, everything else will fall into place. “Jordan set the bar and Justin is like, ‘I got to meet that,’” Vincent said. Justin said he blocks out as much as he can when it comes to the expectations that are on him. Those were some of the conversations he had with both is dad and Jordan ahead of his first year of high school basketball. "I had to let Justin know, you have your own story to tell,” Vincent said. “You don’t have to follow in your brother’s footsteps. It would be a nice story if you went to the same school or played for the same coach, but that’s not how we’re going to base your decision on where you end up.” That’s why Justin wanted to play at Houston. He has a chance to build his own legacy. While both Jordan and Justin’s paths are similar, they’re still different. Jordan entered high school as an unknown and found his own niche. He came in primarily as a shooter. Justin came into this season with a chance to play right away as a point guard. And Justin has already picked up a Division I offer from Alabama State. “I definitely still have to prove myself,” Justin said. “When people come to see me, they expect so much so like even if I come up short a little bit, they’re disappointed and people start talking. It’s definitely a lot of pressure.”

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Houston High School Athletics

HOUSTON FRESHMAN JUSTIN FRISON ISN'T WORRIED ABOUT EXPECTATIONS. HE'S FOCUSED ON OWN STORY

WYNSTON WILCOX

Commercial Appeal | 1/10/2024

PHOTO CREDIT: Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal