GREAT FALLS — C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls has retired the No. 34 jersey that Stanford standout Josh Huestis wore when he led the Rustlers to back-to-back state championships in 2009 and 2010.
Huestis thought he was speaking at a basketball banquet Wednesday, and was surprised when coach John Cislo presented him with the framed, green and gold jersey.
The Great Falls Tribune reports Huestis told the CMR players the keys to his success were persistence and sacrifice. Huestis finished his senior year at Stanford with the school’s career record for blocked shots and an appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16. He said he is proud of his Montana roots and told the players never to forget where they’re from or the morals and values that they’ve been instilled with.
Huestis has been training in Las Vegas and finishing up classes as he prepares for the June 25 NBA draft.