Alisha Roberts (5’7, G, 2012) signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at NCAA Division 1 Pepperdine Waves in Malibu, California.
Roberts is one of the top high school recruits in the country and received interest from several NCAA and CIS schools. She had narrowed her focus to University of Southern Utah, UBC, UVic and University of Windsor, but opted for Southern California for the combination of basketball and academics that Pepperdine can offer.
Roberts career as a York House Tiger is well documented. Roberts played a crucial role in leading the Tigers to two consecutive ‘AA’ BC Championships and this year will lead the Tigers into the challenge of ‘AAA’ basketball for the first time in school history.
“Growing up I always had dreams of being able to play basketball professionally,” says Roberts. When she steps on to the court in Malibu, she will be one step away from fulfilling that dream.
This past summer, Roberts played with the U17 BC Provincial Team that earned a Silver medal at the Canadian National Championships where she averaged 15ppg, 4asst and 4rbs. “At the end of the day it is about improving myself individually as a basketball player, being the best I can be and not worrying about that pressure,” says Roberts.
In improving her basketball I.Q. she maintains great relationships with her coaches. Coach Winston Brown says, “Alisha is not only the kind of player that coaches dream about having on their team, but also, more significantly, the type of player that forces you to be a better coach. I found myself tirelessly working to find new ways to challenge her as a student of the game, as well as ways for our team to take advantage of the diverse and well-rounded skill package she possesses.”
Roberts’ strong basketball foundation has been shaped by the guidance she receives from York House and Provincial team coaches, but it started with her incredible caring and supportive family with a strong basketball history.
Alisha’s two older sisters, Norma-Jean and Lisa, both attended and played for the CIS Laurentian Voyageurs. Her father, Norm Roberts, has coached at the Provincial, high school and club level for years and has given so much to the basketball community.
“I am fortunate enough to have a father who played basketball and is very good. He was MVP of the Rhodesian Team [Zimbabwe], and has taught me almost everything I know,” says Roberts. Athletic Director, David Prissinotti adds, “Norm has been such a great asset to our program. He brings so much knowledge, experience along with an incredibly caring and supportive approach. It has been very special to have Alisha and her family be such a big part of our Tigers tradition.”