Wake Forest Athletics
Men’s Basketball Adds Elite Rim Protector in Justin Abson
9/23/2026 3:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Defensive difference maker joins Demon Deacons as graduate transfer for 2026-27 season
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest men's basketball has announced the addition of graduate transfer Justin Abson to the 2026-27 Demon Deacons roster. A 6-foot-9 defensive anchor and elite rim protector, Abson has established himself as one of the nation's most productive shot blockers throughout his collegiate career.
Abson, a Coconut Creek, Fla. native, spent the last two seasons at Georgia following his first two collegiate seasons at Appalachian State. Abson owns 239 career blocks, a mark that ranked fourth-most amongst active Division I players following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. A proven defensive difference maker, he ranked third in the SEC in blocked shots during the 2025-26 season with the Bulldogs and was the 2024 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year while at App State.
"We recruited Justin two years ago when he entered the transfer portal at Appalachian State with Tre Spillers," said head coach Steve Forbes. "During that time, we developed a very good relationship with Justin and his mom. When he reached out to us about his interest in our program, we were very excited about having the opportunity to coach him. Justin is an outstanding shot blocker along with being a great person and student. He is a great fit for Wake Forest and our program."
Abson saw action in 59 games throughout his two seasons at Georgia while helping the Bulldogs earn back-to-back NCAA Tournament bids. He shot 63.5 percent from the field while ranking third in the SEC with 1.6 blocks per game during the 2025-26 campaign. He graduated from Georgia with a bachelor's degree in sport management in May 2026.
Abson began his career at App State where he was teammates with former Demon Deacon Tre'Von Spillers, helping to lead the Mountaineers to a 27-7 record, Sun Belt regular-season championship and an NIT appearance in 2023-24. He played in 66 games over two seasons, starting 56 contests and compiling 466 points (7.1 ppg), 428 rebounds (6.5 rpg) and 166 blocks (2.5 bpg) and was honored as the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
In addition to his collegiate experience, Abson has represented Jamaica at the international level, playing with the Jamaican National Team in qualifying games for the 2027 FIBA World Cup this past summer, as well as experience with Jamaica's FIBA Americas World Cup Pre-Qualifying tournament in 2025 and Jamaica's 3x3 team for the Caribbean Games in 2022.
Abson was a two-time All-State honoree out of North Broward Prep School, averaging a double-double of 13.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game over his high school career. He earned three All-Broward County honors.
Abson is currently eligible for a fifth year of competition based on a temporary preliminary injunction which was recently granted in the state of Indiana. His permanent availability to compete may be impacted by future judgements in ongoing litigation.
Abson, a Coconut Creek, Fla. native, spent the last two seasons at Georgia following his first two collegiate seasons at Appalachian State. Abson owns 239 career blocks, a mark that ranked fourth-most amongst active Division I players following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. A proven defensive difference maker, he ranked third in the SEC in blocked shots during the 2025-26 season with the Bulldogs and was the 2024 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year while at App State.
"We recruited Justin two years ago when he entered the transfer portal at Appalachian State with Tre Spillers," said head coach Steve Forbes. "During that time, we developed a very good relationship with Justin and his mom. When he reached out to us about his interest in our program, we were very excited about having the opportunity to coach him. Justin is an outstanding shot blocker along with being a great person and student. He is a great fit for Wake Forest and our program."
Abson saw action in 59 games throughout his two seasons at Georgia while helping the Bulldogs earn back-to-back NCAA Tournament bids. He shot 63.5 percent from the field while ranking third in the SEC with 1.6 blocks per game during the 2025-26 campaign. He graduated from Georgia with a bachelor's degree in sport management in May 2026.
Abson began his career at App State where he was teammates with former Demon Deacon Tre'Von Spillers, helping to lead the Mountaineers to a 27-7 record, Sun Belt regular-season championship and an NIT appearance in 2023-24. He played in 66 games over two seasons, starting 56 contests and compiling 466 points (7.1 ppg), 428 rebounds (6.5 rpg) and 166 blocks (2.5 bpg) and was honored as the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
In addition to his collegiate experience, Abson has represented Jamaica at the international level, playing with the Jamaican National Team in qualifying games for the 2027 FIBA World Cup this past summer, as well as experience with Jamaica's FIBA Americas World Cup Pre-Qualifying tournament in 2025 and Jamaica's 3x3 team for the Caribbean Games in 2022.
Abson was a two-time All-State honoree out of North Broward Prep School, averaging a double-double of 13.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game over his high school career. He earned three All-Broward County honors.
Abson is currently eligible for a fifth year of competition based on a temporary preliminary injunction which was recently granted in the state of Indiana. His permanent availability to compete may be impacted by future judgements in ongoing litigation.
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