Beyond the Hardwood: Last, Corbin Connection goes Deeper than Basketball

Two years ago, Robert Morris welcomed in a pair of transfers that were coming from opposite sides of the country. One was coming from out West after taking the junior college route out of high school. The other made the move from Ohio to Rock Hill, South Carolina to play at Winthrop and now to Pennsylvania.

Those two seasons have gone by quickly and little did they know that the two would become as close as anyone.

Jackson Last and Josh Corbin, the only seniors that returned from last year’s Colonials’ roster, have seen their relationship grow both on and off the court.

“His first year here and my first year here and being able to work together and being one of the leaders of the team, it’s been great,” Corbin said.

With last year mainly focused on basketball, the duo has seen their bond develop more so over this season.

“We both really felt it this year as two of the guys that returned.” Last said.

Their unwavering connection has been noticeable on the floor, and it’s picked up some steam from those in the locker room.

“We have this running joke that when JC passes me the ball, I shoot 60 percent, and when everyone else passes the ball, I don’t quite shoot 60 percent,” Last said laughing. “Whether that’s true or not, there is a connection. It’s been fun to find some connections off the court. That’s where some of that chemistry started.”

Well, where exactly did that chemistry start? How about the links? Last and Corbin have hit the golf course, primarily Shadow Lakes Country Club in Aliquippa, to take a pause from the game of basketball.

“Me and JC both enjoy golfing to take our mind off of basketball sometimes,” Last said.

The connection between Last and Corbin goes further than that. Both are respectively married with Jackson marrying his wife Katelyn back in August on 2022 and Josh tying the knot with his bride Malaysia a year later this past August.

Robert Morris Colonials guard Josh Corbin (32) November 16, 2022 David Hague/PSN

Corbin expressed how important his wife has been in supporting his journey at Robert Morris.

“That’s my everything,” Corbin said. “Through my highs, lows, whatever it is, she’s with me, is supportive and understands everything that’s going on. Whether we’re winning, losing or I’m playing good or bad, she doesn’t care about all that. She’s just there to support me.”

Although Corbin and Last haven’t found a way for the two couples to hang out together, Last shared a similar sentiment about how meaningful his partner has been.

“It can be difficult at times, but Katelyn has been awesome,” Last said. “She’s totally patient with me and she loves supporting the basketball teams. It’s been really fun because my teammates are some of my best friends in the world and now, I’ve gotten to bring them over to the house and it’s made it a little family for me and my wife.”

Prior to transferring to RMU, Last played JUCO ball at Salt Lake Community College. After meeting through a mutual friend while Jackson attended the school, him and Katelyn have embraced life in Pittsburgh.

“Robert Morris was an awesome opportunity to come live in Pittsburgh to do something different and completely out of my comfort zone,” Last said. “I’ve learned a lot of new things being far away from home and then playing with an amazing two group of teammates and playing with these coaches. Being here has been living out a dream.”

While at RMU, Last has been relied upon as a swing guard as he’s scored 6.3 points per game and collecting 3.5 rebounds per contest this year.

Robert Morris Colonials guard Jackson Last (12) January 29, 2023 David Hague/PSN

“Jackson’s one of the best people you could ever coach,” head coach Andy Toole said. “He does virtually everything and anything you ask of him to the best of his ability. He has a ton of versatility and play a bunch of different positions for us.”

While Last has added a nice depth scoring touch, he has been mostly known for the way he leads the Colonials both on and off the hardwood.

“He’s a guy that can set an example of how to go about your day-to-day life – taking care of your work in the classroom, taking care of your work in the weight room, having a positive impact on everybody around you,” Toole said. “It’s an amazing ability he has to connect and that’s why he’s going to be so successful in whatever future endeavors that he attempts after basketball.”

Not only has Last received praise from the coaching staff, but his leadership has also been felt by his teammates and it’s something that Last wants to leave as a lasting impression.

“The best leaders I’ve been around in my life have built a relationship with me and trust and that’s what I kind of build first with my teammates,” Last said. “Basketball is a difficult sport and a lot of ups and downs, so I try to be a positive influence in their ears.”

As Last provides a vocal presence for the Colonials, Corbin has also made an impact through leading by example with the way he comes about his work.

“When Josh got here two summers ago, he immediately influenced our locker room in a positive way with his competitiveness,” Toole said. “He’s ultra-competitive in practice on a day-to-day basis. When you are not engaged guarding him, he can fool you. He’s fought through all the distractions, there’s been times where he’s been banged up over the course of his time with us and he never complained about it and he continued to work.”

Corbin has expanded his game outside of just shooting by creating more on the offensive side of the floor, which was partly out of necessity due to teams locking him down more.

“I know I’m a key part of this team and I know I can’t let people take me out of the game. Using myself whether it’s to open up driving lanes for other teammates, setting screens or whatever the case may be trying to help others,” Corbin said.

Robert Morris Colonials guard Jackson Last (12) February 28, 2023 David Hague/PSN

Corbin and Last have been crucial contributors to some of the Colonials’ biggest wins of the season, including one against Purdue Fort Wayne where Corbin hit a game-tying triple late in the second half to send the game to overtime. Then, Last sent an inbounds pass to Markeese Hastings who nailed the buzzer beater shot for the win.

“That Purdue Fort Wayne game was probably one of the craziest games I’ve been a part of,” Corbin said. “Being able to hit that shot to go into overtime and to see us keep clawing and then Markeese hitting that huge shot.”

Hastings will join Last and Corbin as the three Colonials being recognized before Sunday’s game against Cleveland State. While only here one for season, Hastings’ bond with the two other seniors quickly came together.

“I love both of them as brothers,” Corbin said. “We’ve gotten super close. It’s been amazing to play with them.”