Ellwood Christian Academy forward Justin Bufford turned summer vacation into his personal showcase.

Bufford, The Selma Times-Journal’s basketball player of the year, has shined on the AAU circuit and the North-South All-Star game.

The 6-foot-6 Bufford scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds as the South prevailed 88-75 at Alabama State University last week.

“Playing in the All-Star game was fun, but at the same time it was business,” Bufford said. “I’ve been an underdog my whole life. I got to show people who the real Justin Bufford is. The summer has been a wild ride for me. It was fun and a summer to remember.”

Bufford plays for the Mississippi Express, an AAU team based out of Meridian, Mississippi. Bufford said he enjoyed playing for the Express, located about 100 miles from Selma.

Bufford said he spent countless hours in the gymnasium fine-tuning his game.

“I got in the gym and put in the work,” Bufford said. “You have to remember who you’re working and why you’re doing it. I’ve improved my handles, three-point shooting and my mid-range jump shot. I’m always looking to improve.”

Another positive for Bufford over the summer is that he qualified academically to play as a true freshman in the 2020-2021 school year. Bufford has a 3.4 GPA and scored 18 on the ACT.

“It’s a big relief off my shoulders that I qualified,” Bufford said. “My mother wants me to take the ACT again, but I’m eligible for the NCAA clearing house. I can now move forward.”

Bufford’s only scholarship offers have come from Montevallo College and Shelton State Community College.

Bufford, however, said the goal is to land a Division I scholarship offer. He has attracted D-I interest from Northwestern State, Mercer, Tennessee State, Wichita State and San Diego State.

The NCAA has two signing dates for basketball: early period (Nov. 13-Nov. 19) and regular period (April 15-May 20).