UMBC men’s basketball wing DJ Armstrong Jr. recently hit two game-winners in six days.
Armstrong hit a game-winning 3-pointer at Morgan State on Nov. 11 to lift the Retrievers to an 81-79 win:
And then Armstrong hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer shot in UMBC’s 71-70 overtime victory against Wagner on Nov. 16:
Armstrong’s confidence comes from teammate and guard Jah’Likai King, who helped set up both game-winners.
“Even at the end of the second half [against Wagner] … he looked straight toward me for me to end the game just like I did at Morgan,” Armstrong said on Glenn Clark Radio Nov. 18. “Coming out in overtime, the same thing happened. We ran our out-of-bounds play and he looked for me. It’s usually always him who’s giving me the ball. He looks at me, I’ve got it and I made an amazing play.”
Armstrong was named America East Men’s Basketball Co-Player of the Week for his efforts. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound is averaging 10.0 points, 1.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in five games for the Retrievers so far this year.
Armstrong was asked about his relationship with his father, Darrell Armstrong, a former NBA guard who played for the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic across 14 seasons from 1994-2008.
“He had a basketball camp that I went to until I was maybe 16 or 17 from maybe fourth grade or third grade or something. He’s always been there throughout my journey, just keeping my head up and telling me to play the game the right way,” Armstrong said. “He was all known for the heart and hustle and stuff like that. He always said, ‘Don’t take possessions off,’ just keep doing what I do. He always says I know how to play the game the right way and stuff like that, just trusting my work. He was always there throughout his journey. Even though he wasn’t physically there, he was mentally there.”
Armstrong started his college career at Odessa College in Texas, then moved on to Division II Texas Permian Basin. He played 28 games at Permian Basin in 2024-25, averaging 12.3 points per game, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He transferred to UMBC this past offseason.
Armstrong was asked about his experience on the Permian Basin route and how that experience helped him reach the D-I level, becoming a better basketball player and a better man.
“I’m blessed to be here anyway because I get to play the game every day that I love. A lot of people would love to switch with my spot,” Armstrong said. “There are hoopers everywhere. Just because I’m in this position, I didn’t look down on myself like maybe I’m not as good as I am. I really just kept my head down, kept working.
“I started looking at the talent that was at all the levels — like JUCO, D-II and of course D-I — and I was like, ‘I’m really still special.’ I just kept my character high, always have positive vibes, good energy no matter where I was at because like I said, it’s a blessing to be there. As a man, I feel like it really changed for the better because of the hardship. Sometimes, you might not be where you want to be, but it is what it is.”
For more from Armstrong, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of UMBC Athletics