Mean Bean, double-double machine
When sophomore forward Justin Bean first stepped foot on Utah State University’s campus, he was merely a walk-on player for the men’s basketball team. This season, he is in the stat books with the fourth-most double-doubles in the country.
It’s a transformation so seemingly-abrupt it could give a sports fan whiplash.
Last year, Bean recorded just one double-double. So far this season, the former walk-on has had 12 — just three behind Nathan Knight of William and Mary, who leads the NCAA with 15.
This could be attributed to Bean stepping in to fill the role Quinn Taylor vacated when he graduated last year. Filling this role has led to the sophomore more than doubling his average playing time from 12.1 minutes a game to 28.7.
Certainly more playing time has helped Bean to skyrocket his stats from 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds a game to averaging a double-double with 13.2 points and 10.4 rebounds.
But this still doesn’t change the fact Bean is the first Aggie to average over 10 rebounds a game since the ‘70s.
“That’s been a goal of mine, ever since I got here was just to be the best rebounder I could,” Bean said. “I take that as a personal challenge to just clean up the glass and try and get extra opportunities on the offensive end. But just overall, I love to rebound.”
According to Bean, much of his development as a player this season comes from spending the summer working on his ball handling, jumpshot and attacking the rim.
And the forward has clearly let go of any inhibitions when it comes to attacking the rim. Bean’s tenacity under the basket even led to him getting a few teeth knocked loose earlier this season.
Not even this caused him to let up.
The USU Aggies took on the St. Katherine Firedbirds on Tuesday night at the spectrum. With the Hurd behind the Aggies took home another win and blew their opponents out of the water! The final score was 94 to 49. Photo By Tim Carpenter
Bean currently leads the conference in offensive rebounds with a total of 86 on the season and average of 4.1 a game. He is ranked second in the Mountain West Conference for total rebounds a game, averaging under a rebound less than conference leader Nico Carvacho of Colorado State.
“Offensive rebounding is something I take a lot of pride in,” Bean said. “It’s not really a scientific way of playing, it’s just a matter of effort and grit. I think that kind of epitomizes my whole career, just trying to outwork my opponent.”
In terms of single-season rebounds per game, Bean is tied for eighteenth in the Aggie record books.
According to his teammates, Bean’s effort under the rim isn’t just manifested in gametime situations. It’s also seen during practice.
“He’s definitely the best rebounder I’ve ever had to go against,” junior forward Alphonso Anderson said.
The sophomore’s emergence could not have come at a better time, as the Aggies have been plagued by both injuries and the recent inability to make shots of any kind.
During this time, with the exception of a three-game slump, Bean has been able to create many second chance opportunities while also getting points up on the board.
Bean is just three double-doubles away from being ranked among the top-ten Utah State players with the most double-double in a single season, and there are still 10 games left in the regular season.
His next shot to step closer to this record will come on Saturday when the Aggies take on Colorado State at 8 p.m. in the Spectrum.