J’wan Roberts talks recruitment after shining on EYBL
J‘wan Roberts has had a stellar year at both the high school level and on the grassroots circuit, and now is starting to reap his rewards with college offers and heavy interest from some well respected programs. Roberts has transformed from a lanky rim runner to a dominant force on both ends in the span of a year, and now college programs and recruiting services have taken notice. Roberts was not in action at the Austin GASO, but came down to take in some games anyways, where he talked about his experience making the jump to the EYBL with Nike ProSkills and what his recruitment is looking like.
“It’s my first time being under that Nike bracket (EYBL) and I have to say it’s been a pretty good experience,” Roberts told TexasHoops.com. “It’s a lot more exposure than I’ve ever gotten before so I just have to do what I do and try to make my mark on the game.”
Roberts currently holds 6 offers, but has many more colleges tracking his development. Roberts’ dominant play on the Nike circuit has earned him offers from Grand Canyon, UT-Rio Grande Valley, Sam Houston State, Seton Hall, St. John’s, and Texas State, with the player singling out the latter two as programs that have been recruiting him hard in recent weeks. Penn State is another school that has reached out to Roberts this summer.
When asked about preferences in his school selection, Roberts had this to say: “I’m trying to go to a school that can help get me to the league and at the same time has high academics. I want a school that can do both.”
Roberts has his sights set on another successful Live Period, and talked about the progress he’s made with his game, as well as areas that he wants to improve.
“I’m really working on my dribbling,” Roberts said. “There’s a lot of times where I get the rebound and just outlet to the point guard instead of going with it and attacking on my own. A lot of times people think I can just score down low because I haven’t shot the ball that much on the circuit, but I feel confident expanding my range and shooting it.”
Roberts kept it simple when he summed up what he thinks he can offer a college program, saying:
“Defend. Block shots. Rebound. Run the floor. Affect the game in as many ways as possible.”