Justin Roberts

Men's Basketball

Behind The Mask: Justin Roberts

ATLANTA – Junior Justin Roberts has not let the challenges of the last 10 months change what he wanted to accomplish entering the 2020-21 season. Rather than using COVID-19 as an excuse, he and his teammates have built even more trust and accountability among each other and so far, and on the court it shows.

Roberts enjoyed a very successful first season in a Panther uniform earning All-Sun Belt Third Team honors. After being named to the All-Sun Belt Preseason Second Team back in November, he has started the year strong averaging 14.7 points and a team-high 4.8 assists per game. He also leads GSU with 20 steals entering this weekend's action.

So how has it happened? "It's been a bit different, but what we do and how we do things on the court are pretty much the same," Roberts said. "The only things that are different are just wearing a mask into practice and having to be responsible with wearing it before and after practices." 

The difference can also be seen from Year 1 of head coach Rob Lanier teaching a new system to Year 2 where the team has taken more ownership of it becoming 'our system.'

"The expectations have changed for the returners, now that we know what he (Coach Lanier) expects out of us on and off the court - it's hard to have an excuse for anything," Roberts said. "Being leaders even when we don't realize it has become a big adjustment to the older guys and returners, but I think we are handling it very well."

There was also a lot of positive momentum take from the first game of the season, an impressive four-overtime victory over in-town rival Georgia Tech. That game show Roberts and his teammates that they can compete with anyone. 

"For my teammates, I would have to say that I can trust them," Roberts said. "After that game we looked at each other in a different light because of the circumstances of this year. It was like a milestone that we had overcame.

"It also made me realize that they (his teammates) are tougher than I thought mentally, and they could be held at a higher standard. For me, it was just a reflection of the work that put in over the summer and the quarantine. it made me realize that I can push myself harder than what I even thought."

Following a key win over Coastal Carolina over the weekend, Roberts and his teammates will now turn their attention to making the trip up to Boone, N.C., this weekend to face Appalachian State and continue on the road of what has been and will continue to be a season that no one will ever forget.

Our weekly 'Behind the Mask' segment is presented by Ford. Visit buyfordnow.com to learn more.
 
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Players Mentioned

Justin Roberts

#2 Justin Roberts

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6' 0"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Justin Roberts

#2 Justin Roberts

6' 0"
Junior
G