Mavs Donuts: Exclusive - Getting to know Mavs rookie Isaiah Roby

Mavs Donuts: Exclusive - Getting to know Mavs rookie Isaiah Roby

DONUT 1: GETTING TO KNOW MAVS ROOKIE ISAIAH ROBY

Dallas Mavericks rookie Isaiah Roby, who was drafted with the No. 45 pick in the NBA Draft, showed everyone what he's got in the Las Vegas Summer League. Roby is a big 6-8 versatile forward who spent three years playing college basketball at the University of Nebraska. This week, Roby took the time to speak with DallasBasketball.com about realizing his dreams, excitement about being a Maverick, life outside of basketball and much, much more. Enjoy!

DONUT 2: DREAMS DO COME TRUE

DBcom: First of all, congratulations on realizing your dream and making it to the NBA. What was going through your mind as you heard your name called during the draft?

Roby: "I got a call and was told that Dallas was going to be picking me, but it didn’t feel real to me until I saw it and finally heard my name. It was an awesome moment, and I just took a moment to think about all the time, blood, sweat, and tears I put in to get to that moment."

DONUT 3: EXCITED TO BE A MAVERICK

DBcom: More specifically, how did it feel to know you were going to be a Dallas Maverick?

Roby: "It was a great feeling knowing I was going to be a Dallas maverick. Being able to come to a team that has a lot of young talent, that I think I can help add to, is exciting. I couldn’t wait to get out to Dallas and get started."

DONUT 4: MAVS GETTING THEIR GUY

DBcom: Before you got the call, did you already get the sense that the Mavs were interested?

Roby: "Dallas was a team throughout the pre-draft process that expressed high interest in me. They were also a team with one pick right in my draft range, so going into draft night I was definitely aware I might become a Maverick."

DONUT 5: CONNECTING WITH MAVS TEAMMATES

DBcom: Obviously you had your hands full playing some good basketball at the Las Vegas Summer League right now, but have you had a chance to connect with any of your Mavs teammates so far?

Roby: "So far I’ve been able to meet a few guys from the team: Tim (Hardaway Jr.), Jalen (Brunson), Dwight (Powell), and Maxi (Kleber). I like the culture and environment they have in Dallas, and I like seeing guys getting in the gym and their work ethic even in this time of the year."

DONUT 6: SPEAKING OF SUMMER LEAGUE

The Mavs started undefeated (2-0) in the Las Vegas Summer League, and they're coming off a 113-81 drubbing of the Houston Rockets. Roby has played a big role in the team's early success, averaging 12 points, 5.5 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and 1.5 steals per game. 

.@roby_isaiah with the hoop on one end and the swat on the other! pic.twitter.com/lw9dxTH93M

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) July 5, 2019

The versatility Roby has shown early on gives you an idea of why the Mavs had such high interest in him on draft night. From scoring in transition, to hitting the occasional three, to blocking shots and dishing out a couple of nice assists, Roby already looks like he could be a steal, given where he was selected in the draft.

DONUT 7: ROBY'S GAME IN HIS OWN WORDS

DBcom: What area of your game do you think could translate to the NBA immediately while helping the Mavs next season?

Roby: "I think my ability to guard multiple positions is something that could translate immediately, and also my vision and passing offensively. Also, I pride myself on making hustle plays, and that’s something you can always do no matter what kind of game you're having."

DONUT 8: INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF BASKETBALL

DBcom: For Mavs fans who might want to know a little more about Isaiah Roby 'the person' and not just 'the player,' what are some things you like to do outside of basketball?

Roby: "Outside of basketball, I’m big into video games, music, and cooking. I grew up playing and (being) a fan of all sports, so I also love to watch and root for my favorite teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Capitals, and Jacksonville Jaguars."

DONUT 9: POTENTIAL GLUE GUY?

As mentioned in the opener, Roby spent three years at the University of Nebraska before making the jump to the NBA. In his time as a Cornhusker, Roby averaged 11.8 points, 6.9 rebounds 1.9 assists and 1.6 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game. In the Mavs most recent Las Vegas Summer League victory against the Rockets, Roby put up a similar stat line, scoring 14 points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in just 25 minutes. 

Roby also shot 6-of-11 from the field and was a plus-34 overall in that game as well. All those stats, combined with the early eye test (when I say this guy hustles, that might just be an understatement), leads me to believe that (maybe with some G-League seasoning?) Roby can not only be a great fit with this current Mavs roster, but he could also potentially end up being an important 'glue guy' later on into his development.

DONUT 10: PLAYOFFS ON HIS MIND

DBcom: Given the current makeup of this Mavs roster, and given that the Golden State Warriors have seemingly taken a major step back due to injuries, what would you say the team’s expectations are this season?

Roby: "I’d say the team's expectation this season is to make the playoffs. I think with getting KP back and another year for Luka, we have two great players and very talented players around them."

DONUT 11: ROOKIE SEASON GOALS

DBcom: And your personal expectations or goals for your rookie year?

Roby: "Personally, I want to contribute to that (team) goal as much as possible and also grow on and off the court and keep developing my game."

DONUT 12: THE FINAL WORD

"We’re happy, we’re elated, it was a really good night for us," said Mavs General Manager Donnie Nelson after the draft night trade with the Detroit Pistons that netted them Roby and a pair of future second round picks. "It wasn’t shocking. There were just enough kind of surprise picks in the 30s that things kind of dropped a little bit, and it ended up really working well for us tonight.”