Who's Hoo? Q & A with Desmond Roberts
First-year Desmond Roberts joined the Virginia men’s basketball program as a recruited walk-on after averaging 10.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists for St. Anne’s-Belfield in 2022-23.
Roberts was named to the Virginia Preparatory League All-Prep Basketball Team honors in 2022-23. He averaged 10.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists for Virginia Episcopal School in 2021-22, earning second-team All-Conference honors and serving as team captain.
Roberts visited with VirginiaSports.com before the start of the 2023-24 season.
Q: Why did you choose to stay home and play at Virginia?
Roberts: I chose to stay home and play at Virginia because I wanted to improve my game and be a part of a team with a culture I grew up seeing and wanting to be involved in.
Q: What’s the best part about playing at UVA so far?
Roberts: The best part about playing at UVA is the team environment, the coaches, managers, teammates are all great and make my experience as a player fun.
Q: What can fans expect from you when you get on the floor?
Roberts: The fans can expect unselfish plays, hustle, and energy when I get in the game.
Q: What NBA player do you model your game after and why?
Roberts: I model my game after guys like Dwyane Wade, Jimmy Butler and Kobe Bryant because those are bigger, stronger guards that thrive in the mid-range.
Q: What has been the best moment in your basketball career so far?
Roberts: My best moment in my basketball career was making it to the state championship my senior season.
Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or a go-to pregame meal?
Roberts: I like to eat a bag of gummy bears before every game.
Q: If you could play one other sport besides basketball, what would it be and why?
Roberts: Football or soccer because I had a lot of fun playing those sports growing up.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Roberts: I watch a lot of Netflix and love to look at clothes and fashion.
Q: Use one word to describe your shoe game.
Roberts: Solid.
Q: Which teammate is the worst at NBA 2K24?
Roberts: Anthony Robinson.
Q: If you could swap lives with a teammate for a day, who would it be and why?
Roberts: Ryan Dunn, so I know what it’s like to have bounce.
Q: Who would play you in a movie?
Roberts: Michael B. Jordan.
Q: What are your goals for this season?
Roberts: To get better and do what I can to help the team improve.
