Joe Gaiter: What does basketball mean to you?
Ian Roach: Basketball means everything to me. Without it I wouldn’t be in the position that I am in today. It has given me opportunities that alot if kids from the inner city don’t get and has kept me hopeful during difficult times. I am blessed that God has given me the ability to play basketball.
Joe Gaiter:Tell us about your childhood?
Ian Roach: I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I was introduced to basketball at an early age. At nine years old I started playing in parks all over Brooklyn as well as other playgrounds in the NYC. Being the only child, my parents did their best to keep me on the most successful path, so they got me involved in AAU basketball in the 6th grade. That was when I started to develop a passion for the game and wanted to challenge myself to get better. As I practiced and started gaining confidence, I went on to play with “The City” in the 7th grade. Once I got there, I realized right away that I had to work on my game if I wanted to compete at a higher level .Our team was very talented and I got the opportunity to play with a great group of guys such as Donovan Mitchell and Eric Paschall, who are now successful NBA players. Playing with those guys made me a better player and competitor.
What are your fondest memories of Bedford Academy High School?
Ian Roach: Joe Gaiter: I played all four years of varsity basketball at Bedford and in those four years I had a lot of fun on and off the court. We made it to the final 4 of our division every year that I played, but fell short of our goal of winning a championship. I was blessed to have been coached by Robert Phelps, who helped lead Providence to a Big East Championship in 1994. I’ll never forget waking up at 5 am every morning during pre-season and hopping on the train for 6 am workouts. He instilled discipline in us and emphasized how important it is to have good character in order to prepare us for the next level. I remember Coach Phelps would make the whole team run in practice if I didn’t call for the ball when I was open or if I passed up an open shot. I would run endless down and backs on the sideline with the medicine ball over my head until he got me to understand that I needed to be more aggressive in order for me to help the team win.
Joe Gaiter:Tell us about your recruitment experience?
Ian Roach: Coming out of high school my senior year, I was a NYC Mayor’s Cup All-Star. Throughout high school I received many interests from local D-1 schools in the tri-state area, but I had no offers. The closest I got to receive an offer was from Monmouth University in New Jersey.Unfortunately, the coach that was recruiting me at the time got fired before that could happen. Other than that I had only D-3 schools and Jucos that wanted me.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your experience at Brandeis University?
Ian Roach: It was a unique experience for me coming out of Brooklyn and going to Brandies because I was able to meet people from all over the country and the world. Brandies gave me a broader perspective of life outside of New York. While my academic and social experiences were great, I had some issues on the court. In the 2 years that I played (2015-2017), the team had a toxic environment that started to affect me on and off the court. Majority of the players either quit or transferred to other schools, so that is what led me to re-opening my recruitment and exploring other options.
Joe Gaiter: What made you choose Clark Atlanta to finish up your academic and athletic career?
Ian Roach: When I decided I wanted to leave Brandeis I didn’t have any film to send to any coaches, so it was a difficult situation for me to try to play for another school right away. I felt like a lot of people in the basketball world forgot about me the two years that I was at Brandeis because I didn’t play much. I connected with AJ Williams, who’s also from Brooklyn and was playing at Clark during that time and he told me how great the school was, so I decided to apply. I knew that wherever I went nothing was guaranteed, but was confident that I could play my way on to the team. I felt like an HBCU was the perfect environment for me to transfer to because it would allow me to grow both on and off the court. I had to sacrifice a full year’s worth of credits to transfer into Clark, so I decided to also save a year of eligibility. I committed to Clark the summer of 2017 and dedicated my first year to losing 20 pounds and getting in shape before trying out for the team in 2018.
Joe Gaiter: What was your contribution to CAU over the past two years?
Ian Roach: I was a reliable shooter and defender for CAU over the past two years. I was ready when my number was called and added bench depth to the team. Games that I started I felt like I did a solid job spacing the floor for my teammates and doing whatever it took to win games.
Joe Gaiter: What makes you such a dynamic Guard?
Ian Roach: I can rebound the ball, play defense, and score inside or on the perimeter. I feel like all those qualities make me a dynamic guard.
Joe Gaiter: Do you feel like you are at your athletic peak?
Ian Roach: No, I feel like I haven’t reached my athletic peak yet, but feel like I will during my training this summer.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and how do you plan on using it?
Ian Roach: My major is business management and I plan on using my degree to get involved on the business side of basketball, whether it’s working with a brand or managing my own businesses when I’m done playing.
Joe Gaiter: What is next for your basketball career?
Ian Roach: I’m currently looking for an agent right now, but in the meantime I’ll be working out this summer and staying in shape for an opportunity to play overseas.
Joe Gaiter: What should your next team know about you?
Ian Roach: I want my next team to know that I’ll do whatever it takes to win. I never won a championship in high school or college, so my next team should know that that is a goal that I want to accomplish.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your support system?
Ian Roach: My parents are my biggest supporters, without them I wouldn’t be here today. Also, my friends who I now call my brothers are a big support system for me.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Ian Roach: I want to my legacy to be remembered as not only a good player but a good person to everyone that I’ve met. Also, being great teammate and a guy who just never gave up.
Joe Gaiter: Are you proud of your accomplishments?
Ian Roach: I honestly feel like I have a lot left to prove and haven’t accomplished anything yet. I thank god for how far I’ve come, but I’m not satisfied.
Joe Gaiter: Clark Atlanta was 14-16 this year. In your opinion what could the 2020/21 team do better overall?
Ian Roach: I feel like the team next year should hold each-other accountable more and fight to stay together through adversity. If they do those two things they should be fine next season.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Ian Roach: I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for all of the praying that my mother did throughout my college career and I just thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to tell my story and hopefully it inspires other kids to never give up.
Joe Gaiter: Shoutouts?
Ian Roach: I want to shout out to my parents and all of my coaches and mentors.
I also want to shout out to all of my close friends that were there for me during tough times and always believed in me. There’s only a few and they know who they are. I appreciate y’all for believing in me.
Instagram : @ yaaanrowe
