Norm Roberts and the Red Storm have begun the process of restocking their backcourt.
The head coach of the men’s basketball team announced today the signing of Quincy Roberts, a 6-foot-5 combo guard from Harrisburg, Pa. This announcement comes just over a week after one that declared guards Mike Cavataio and Larry Wright were transferring from St. John’s.
Roberts, who is the first player to be successfully recruited for the 2008-09 season, averaged 18.5 points per game, 6.5 rebounds and five assists for Harrisburg High School in his senior season. He was an all-conference selection for the third straight season; named first-team Mid-Penn. Harrisburg made it to the semifinals of the Pennsylvania state tournament during Roberts’ sophomore and junior seasons.
“We’re excited about Quincy joining our basketball family and our University,” Norm told Redstormsports.com. “He comes from a culture of success, on and off the court, and his versatility will really help him contribute immediately to our backcourt. Quincy’s personality and leadership qualities will enable him to mix well with our guys and our campus community.”
Roberts visited campus last week and his high school coach, Kirk Smallwood, said he told him of his decision to sign a letter of intent immediately after the trip.
Roberts relayed to Smallwood his fondness of the coaching staff and the University’s general atmosphere. “He just said it felt like home,” Smallwood said.
Roberts was unaware of the departures of Cavataio and Wright until Smallwood told him after reading about it in a newspaper. Smallwood said that the news didn’t affect his player’s decision, but did say that it created extra opportunity for him.
Smallwood said that Roberts’ most important hoops traits were his fundamentals, his high basketball IQ and that he was a true team player. “He passes the ball when he should,” Smallwood said, “and he shoots it when he should.” He said that Roberts knew how to play the game in both a featured and a supporting role.
Roberts verbally committed to the University of Miami last summer which the Miami Herald reported last June, but he never signed with the Hurricanes and reopened his recruitment before his senior season.
