Bloomington North's Roberts earns Indiana All-Star nod
It's days like Tuesday that JaQualon Roberts put in all those extra hours.
Like the days holding conference, sectional and regional title trophies, it's another reward for the work the 6-foot-8 Bloomington North senior has put in over the years to make himself one of the best boys' basketball players in the state of Indiana. That was recognized with Roberts being named a 2023 Indiana All-Star.
Roberts, a Vanderbilt signee, will participate in the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star series that will take place June 9 at the Owensboro Sportscenter in Owensboro, Kentucky, and June 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
"It means a lot for me to be in the position I am today," Roberts said. "My family worked hard to help me get to those accomplishments. It's a phenomenal feeling, during basketball season at practice, seeing the other players who earned that honor and seeing their jerseys on the wall. And to get my jersey on the wall, it's a great feeling for me. It's an amazing accomplishment."
He is the first Cougar to make the All-Star squad since Julian Boatner in 2010 and just the second since Bil Duany in 2004.
"I'm super proud for him," North coach Jason Speer said. "He's done all the work that goes into being a great player. It validates that he will be one of the best players to graduate from Bloomington North."
Roberts had plenty of help along the way.
"Definitely my mom," he said. "Seeing how much she worked day in and day out to support my sister and I, and to be able to use that and be a hard worker and the toughness. That's a big thing in our family is working your hardest.
"And I appreciate all the coaches and trainers what developed me into the player that I am today. Each day I try to be the best I can to help the team win. That's the ultimate thing that counts. Being the toughest player on the court is what got me here."
That's what it took in a year with a deep senior class to make this particular All-Star team.
"To be listed in the top 15 is a great accomplishment," said Roberts, who also plans to play in the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game at North Daviess on Sunday, April 16. "I'm honored and blessed to be in this position."
And the Cougars will add to their proud collection of framed jerseys that also includes Errek Suhr (2003), Sean Mays (2002), Jared Jeffries (2000) and Terry Stotts (1976).
"At our level, when you have that sort of player, a Division I recruit or an Indiana All-Star, your job as a coach is to put guys around him that cane make the best team possible," Speer said. "He's the best players on our team but he's also the consummate team player.
"His winning percentage at North has been incredible. I think as his individual accomplishments go, those are great, but also put in the team accomplishments, the championships he's won, that tells you all you need to know about JQ. He's a winner."
Recent Monroe County Indiana Boys' Basketball All-Stars
*Anthony Leal, South (2020); Chance Coyle, South (2018); Tucker Blackwell, South (2016); Dee Davis, South (2011); Erik Fromm, South and Julian Boatner, North (2010); *Jordan Hulls, South (2009); Garrett Butcher, Edgewood (2008); Cole Holmstrom, South (2006); Bil Duany, North (2004); Errek Suhr, North (2003); *Sean May, North (2002); Kyle Hankins, South (2001); J.R. Holmes, South, head coach (2001); *Jared Jeffries, North (2000). *Mr. Basketball.
Contact Jim Gordillo at jgordillo@heraldt.com and follow on Twitter @JimGordillo.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington North's Roberts earns Indiana All-Star nod
