In his professional basketball debut, Joshua Roberts, a Balanta descendant born in the United States and member of the Balanta B’urassa History & Genealogy Society in America (BBHAGSIA), scored 15 points and had 3 rebounds for team Ararat Yerevan against BKMA in the 2021 Armenia Cup. In his second game against Gyumri, Joshua scored 18 points, had 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot coming of the bench and playing just 23 minutes. In that game, Joshua shot 63% from the field and was 3 for 5 from three-point range.

We took some time to talk to Joshua about his new professional basketball career.

BBHAGSIA: How did this opportunity to play in Armenia come about?

Joshua: I got hit up by a few pro scouts at the conclusion of my senior year at Roosevelt. I was still recovering due to a knee injury I sustained in the 3rd game. It derailed my plans but I did rehab for months until I was healthy enough to workout again. I participated in the EuroBasket Summer League in Vegas and played well in front of a few agents and teams. An agent from Chicago had referred me to a friend after the camp and that’s were the Armenia opportunity came.

BBHAGSIA: Tell us about your college career. What were the best moments?

Joshua: College was ROUGH and very turbulent. However my top 5 moments would have to come at different times of my college career.

- Number 5 would be winning the San Diego city championship in Jr college with Southwestern. That team was loaded with talent but the best part was our brotherhood and chemistry. We all sacrificed for each other.

- 4th would be taking my African Ancestry test after a college practice in my sophomore year. I had just finished watching Black Panther with my teammates and it motivated me to take the test. I used my college refund check and the rest was history. Looking back now that decision was huge for my college career as finding out I was Balanta got me through tough moments in my career. I had to live up to my ancestors name “those who resist remain”. It was in my DNA to persevere just like the elders before me.

- 3 IU Kokomo vs Robert Morris. I had 7 threes against this team and it was a breakout game for my college career. This game single handily put me on track to become a pro.

- 2 My first college game. When I was 18 played for Lewis University we played BIG10 University of Illinois and for a brief moment a childhood dream came true and introduced me to college basketball. That image of the crowd and stadium motivated me for the rest of my college days as I knew I was close to something huge.

- 1-Finalizing my college career post graduation. I made my own way despite the rough five years. I put my name in record books in my last two years. Finishing top 10 in threes in a season. Becoming the first pro out of Roosevelt University and last pro Robert Morris produced. I was the only player from RMU to go to Roosevelt after the merger and it was good to carry that legacy on. At the end of the day my 5 years in college taught me to walk my own path and create a doorway even when the door seems obsolete.

[Check out Joshua’s scouting report and highlight reel]

BBHAGSIA: What is your connection to Guinea Bissau? Do you have plans to return? If Guinea Bissau develops a team, would you play for Guinea Bissau?

Joshua: I have a connection with Guinea Bissau through my mothers side of the family. Our maternal branch is Balanta. I would love to return to Guinea-Bissau and visit the country. I’m making plans to make that reality soon. If Guinea-Bissau develops a national team I would definitely play for them. To play for a team in my ancestors homeland is deeply spiritual and an honor at the highest level. I also know African basketball is coming up and the NBA invested in the Basketball African League. I would love for the world to see Guinea Bissau on the big stage and represented in the league.

[In fact, Joshua is an accomplished genealogist and comes from a prominent Balanta family that has been featured in Sketches of the History of Balanta People in America: Anthology Series 1. Joshua’s sister Simone is an accomplished young poet.]

4) What are your future plans?

Joshua: Future plans, well I was invited to a training camp in April for the Cape Verde League. I’ll most likely attend so I can get my feet wet in the African markets for basketball. Other than that I’m just developing and enjoying every moment of my career.

[Joshua has been involved in BBHAGSIA efforts to develop the sports infrastructure in Guinea Bissau, having submitted a grant proposal to help the Project Rise/Basket for Kids program as well as designing a framework for helping Guinea Bissau qualify a team for FIBA Olympic basketball qualification.]