DePaul University Athletics
Roberts Ready to Step Up
12/14/2017 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO ââ'¬" This time last year Justin Roberts was in high school, directing Findlay Prep to a No. 3 national ranking and a 33-3 record. Now, just 11 months removed from being a prep star, Roberts has found himself in a pivotal role early for the Blue Demons as the first guard off the bench in the two games since the absence of injured starting point guard Devin Gage.
Where many freshman would shrink at the increased responsibility so early into their college career, Roberts has stepped up, displaying sound decision making and a sweet shooting stroke that netted him 19 points at Illinois just three games into his DePaul tenure. In Monday's 83-59 thumping of Alabama A&M the story was no different for the point guard, as he shot 3-of-3 from behind the arc and dished out four assists without a turnover off the bench to help DePaul to their fifth straight win. After the game Roberts credited the weapons that this Blue Demon offense has with helping him make plays.
"I knew I could make easy passes because they're a smaller team. I know I have shooters, and that I had Austin [Grandstaff] back." Roberts said. "So I just use Austin, use Max [Strus], use Eli [Cain] just those guys to get everybody involved. We put pressure on the defense, just getting rebounds and then we leak out [in transition] for open layups."
While they might be "easy passes", it's a credit to Roberts' sharp basketball IQ that he makes the sound play instead of risking a turnover. His outstanding assist-to-turnover ratio Monday evening was not a blip. On the back of four games with at least four assists, the young man who called Indianapolis home until he transferred to the state of Nevada for his senior season, has posted 20 assists versus just six turnovers. Head coach Dave Leitao has been impressed by his young point guard's play in DePaul's first 10 games, so much so that he feels comfortable asking even more of Roberts.
"Like most freshman he's growing, he's had some really good moments." Leitao said. "I think when we played Illinois he found out right away that he could play and I think that meant a lot to him."
Roberts totaled 19 points in his first collegiate road game with five rebounds and five assists against the Illini.
"But I'm a coach and I look at it with a little bit more of a critical eye and I think, for all of our guys, I set the bar high." Leitao continued. "I want him to continue to do what he's done by taking care of the basketball and running the team, but I also can ask him to be more vocal, show a little bit more leadership and play both ends more consistently. All things that you would ask anybody in that position."
As Roberts grows into more of a leadership role and continues to refine his defensive skills, the Blue Demons young point guard will be asked occasionally to play off the ball from Eli Cain because of Roberts' talent as a shooter. With Roberts heating up to the tune of 6-of-11 from beyond the arc since the Illinois game, it might be hard not to try and find some more open looks for the freshman. In Monday's night win, in addition to scoring all nine of his points on threes, Roberts found his teammates who combined to rain down a Wintrust Arena high 11 three pointers on the game.
"I guess we were just feeling it today." Roberts said. "We've got a lot of people that can knock down threes; myself, Austin, Max, Eli, Tre [McCallum], Brandon [Cyrus]. We just utilize that and we just keep the ball moving and it's hard to guard all shooters."
