Athlete of the Week - Justin Ruberg, Rushford-Peterson Basketball

RUSHFORD, Minn. (KTTC) –Whether he’s catching touchdowns or going up for lobs, Justin Ruberg is a force.

“I like to take the physicality from football and bring it in to basketball. You got to be strong with the ball, get rebounds, scoring you got to be physical in there,” Justin Ruberg said.

Less than a month ago Ruberg starred in the Prep Bowl for the Rushford Peterson football team. Now he’s plays for head coach Chris Drinkall’s basketball team.

“He’s a beast in football and basketball. I’m glad he’s on my team. Offensively at 6-foot-4 he has good post moves around the block, he can step out shoot the three. he can go by you with the dribble,” Drinkall said.

He’s doing more than just play though, he’s starring, through two games he’s averaging 23 points and nine rebounds.

“I’ve seen him since he’s been second or third grade, you could tell back then he had that special talent,” Drinkall said.

Ruberg joined the schools 1,000 point club in the teams season opening win over Fillmore Central.

“It was pretty cool, we’ve always talked about it being a lob or dunk, it was a lob, but I didn’t dunk it, but it was still a pretty cool moment,” Ruberg said.

“Its always been a dream, but to make it a reality was really fun and it was definitely something that I knew that I could do and to actually do it, it was a great feeling.”

Then he followed it up with a 24 point performance to help R-P beat the defending state champs in Hayfield.

“People are going to have to take us serious and I don’t know if they’ve done that yet, but after that I believe people are going to start doing that,” Ruberg said.

Ruberg has been special so far, but as he says its not about him, but us.

“Its one group, its not just one individual and to go out compete every night with your brothers especially your senior year, you don’t get much of this left so its really fun going out there with the guys.”

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