Jequann Roberson, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, had a life experience last year that few high school athletes will ever know. Now, he is hoping to use that experience to help him grow as a person and a basketball player.
Roberson, a 6-foot-9 junior, spent last season playing basketball at Oak Hill Academy. Oak Hill is a small, remote boarding school in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The school, which critics argue is little more than an NBA training facility, seeks out the most talented players in the country by offering them scholarships.
For the last 30 years, some of the biggest names in the sport have played high school basketball at Oak Hill, including Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony.
Roberson said he enjoyed his time at Oak Hill, but it was not for him.
“The main reason I left was because I missed my mother and two younger sisters,” Roberson said. “I think I grew up a lot there. I made some friends who I still keep in touch with, and I got to do things l had never done before like going on a plane for the first time and seeing parts of the country I have never seen.”
Roberson said his desire to play for Greenville High School was a big reason why he came home as well. And, Roberson’s coaches and players are happy to have him back.
Roberson has made an immediate impact for the Hornets this season who moved their record to 3-4 after defeating Humprheys County 77-52 last Friday night. Roberson is averaging 14.3 points and 7.9 rebounds a game. In the victory over Humphreys County, Roberson had one of the best games of his career as he scored 21 points, making 10 of his 14 shots from the field, and grabbed 11 rebounds.
“Jequann has come back and fit in really nicely for us,” Greenville High School coach Delmar Sprouse said. “He has the talent to go really far in this game. He can be one of the most elite players in the nation. The sky is the limit.”
Roberson said he thanks Coach Sprouse and his teammates for welcoming him back with open arms, and he hopes to do his part to help the Hornets have a winning team.
“Our goal is to work hard and make it all the way to the state championship,” Roberson said.
