Black Voices: News, Culture & Community from Across the Nation
By Lee Hubbard
In life, there are often different paths to reaching the same goal. That’s been the case for the Neal brothers, Emmitt “EJ” Neal Jr. and Julian “JuJu” Neal. Born and raised in the Bayview-Hunters Point area of San Francisco, the brothers are making waves in collegiate athletics.
EJ will be a graduate senior basketball player at the University of Southern California, transferring after a season at Sacramento State University.
“We’re excited to welcome EJ Neal to our Trojan family,” said Eric Musselman, head coach of the Trojans. “EJ brings experience, energy, and defensive awareness to our roster, along with another strong perimeter shooter.”
JuJu Neal took a different path from his older brother. While he also hooped in high school, JuJu ultimately found his calling in football. The 6-foot-3 defensive back transferred from Fresno State to the University of Arkansas at the beginning of the summer. He had initially enrolled at Stanford University, but when Stanford fired head coach Troy Taylor, JuJu reopened his recruitment and committed to Arkansas after a promising campus visit.
“It’s an opportunity for me to come in right away and show my potential—to show that I’m ready to start,” Neal said. “I take big pride in the schedule they have and what’s expected on the field.”
Having both of his sons competing at the Division I level is a proud achievement for Emmitt Neal Sr., the Senior Pastor at Macedonia Baptist Church in the Western Addition.
“It’s overwhelming because they reached the level they wanted to get to,” said Neal Sr. “I played college basketball at San Francisco State, Division II, without a scholarship. For the boys to have scholarships all the way through college—to get their education paid for—is an accomplishment.”
In addition to his sons, Neal also has a daughter, Jonnay, 28, from his previous marriage to Malkia Neal.
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