The fourth-year guard discusses how basketball is a microcosm for life, transferring to Penn, playing for Coach Fran McCaffery, and the pride he has in donning the Red & Blue.
The fourth-year guard on the men’s basketball team has been playing ball “probably since I could breathe or talk,” and bounced it all the way to the Ivy League, where he is the team’s leading scorer (17.1 ppg) and third-leading scorer in the conference.
Roberts, a political science major in the College of Arts & Sciences, grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and went to high school in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He attended the United States Military Academy as a first-year and was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year. He then enrolled at Drake University, where he was medically redshirted, before transferring to Penn for his third-year season.
Penn Todaycaught up with Roberts at the Palestra to discuss how basketball is a microcosm for life, transferring to Penn, playing for Coach Fran McCaffery, overcoming self-doubt, and the pride he has in donning the Red & Blue.
What do you enjoy about the game of basketball? The relationships I’ve built. Basketball is kind of like a microcosm of life: dealing with adversity, working hard, and instilling a work ethic in me. And even developing personal skills. I’ve met all different types of people playing basketball, and some amazing friends and amazing mentors. The game is special to me. I love competing as well. And winning.
You grew up in Memphis before moving to Illinois. Are you a Grizzles fan? Yes, I used to love going to Grizz games. You remember ‘Grit and Grind?’ When ‘Grit and Grind’ was going on, I wouldn’t miss any games. Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, the whole group.
You wear number 23. Is that for LeBron or Jordan? That’s a good question. Honestly, I was always number 4. When I went to West Point, you’re a freshman so you don’t get to pick numbers. They were like, ‘13 or 23?’ and I picked 23. And I was Rookie of the Year and stuck with it. I would say I’m more of a Jordan fan.
Why were you interested in transferring to Penn? I’ve always valued education and basketball was always super important to me, so Penn was like the perfect match. I’ve always wanted to go to the Ivy League, but I never had the chance out of high school. When I got the chance and the coaches here reached out and asked if I would be interested, I was like, ‘Absolutely. It’s a dream of mine.’ I jumped right at it and never looked back. It’s been the most special two years of my life. Penn is my dream school and to say that I’m going to be a Penn grad here in the next few months is the biggest honor of my life, and something that makes my family and I so proud.
You grew up with former Penn basketball player Reese McMullen? Yes, that’s like my best friend. We grew up playing AAU together in Memphis. Reese got the opportunity to go to Penn and I was so happy for him. I cheered him on here while I was at West Point. I had no idea our paths were going to cross.
We actually lived together his last year, and it was really special. It was kind of a full-circle moment.
I heard from former players that Coach Fran is a player’s coach, always has his players’ back, and wants the best for them. Coach Fran has really treated me like one of his own. He’s really looked out for me in things outside of basketball, and he’s been an amazing coach. Why wouldn’t you want to play for Fran?
How do you think Ivy League basketball is different from the Patriot League or the Missouri Valley Conference?
Everybody in the Ivy League can shoot. They’re all really smart players. It sounds cliché, but I would say it’s more team basketball. On offense, they run longer possessions. The league may be a little less athletic, but it’s great basketball. Anytime you mess up, they make you pay. And you always see the Ivy League go play nonconference games against other teams, and win. Last season, Cornell went to play Cal at Cal and beat them. Princeton beat Rutgers at Rutgers. We beat St. Joe’s. Ivy League basketball wins sometimes. You have to respect it.
You have a year of eligibility left, but can’t play at Penn. The season is not over yet, but have you thought about your plans for next season or are you just still focused on this season? I’m still focused on the season, but you know it’s going to come at some point, so it’s impossible not to think, ‘Wow, I’m going to be somewhere else next year.’ I have absolutely no idea where, but I have unfinished business here. We’re going to make an Ivy Madness run and we’ve accomplished amazing things here at Penn, so I’m just trying to live in the moment and reap the fruits of my labor. Our team has been a special one so far, and I want to go out on top because these guys deserve it, this program deserves it, and the school deserves it. But I know one thing: Wherever I go, I’m forever going to be a Penn grad and a Penn basketball player.
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