By
Jason Erickson
Before
Jaxson Roberts ever boarded a flight to Spain, he already knew where he was headed next. After leading Corner Canyon to a 25-3 record, a perfect 10-0 mark in region play, and the 6A state title, he signed with Utah Valley and set his return date for after a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
"It meant a lot knowing I already had a place to come back to," Roberts said. "It took pressure off. I didn't have to worry about what was next. I could just focus on my mission and the people I was serving."
Roberts' senior year at Corner Canyon read like a blueprint for winning. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 15.3 points, 4.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 steals. In the state tournament he was named the 6A State Tournament MVP after averaging nearly 21 points on 63 percent shooting across three games. It was the kind of run that confirmed what Utah Valley head coach
Todd Phillips saw in him. "Jaxson is a great competitor and winner," Phillips said at the time. "He helped lead Corner Canyon to the 6A State Championship. Jaxson has a big-time motor and a knack to always make the right play."
Spain shifted the pace. In a country where soccer fills every corner of the day, Roberts found sports to be a common language. "Basketball wasn't big there, but sports were everything," he said. "Playing soccer with people helped me connect. It showed me how competition and teamwork are universal." The two years away also gave him peace of mind. His letter of intent was signed. UVU was waiting.
Coming home meant rebuilding rhythm. Roberts arrived in Orem as the lone true freshman on a veteran roster and went to work. He leaned on routine, including a long pregame warmup he has carried since high school. "I have a warmup routine that I do for about an hour," he said. "It gets me locked in." He added strength, repped footwork, and sharpened decisions.
Family fuels his edge. Roberts grew up the youngest in a house full of hoopers, including two sets of twins. Backyard games were rarely casual. "My older brothers all played and they're very competitive," he said. "Playing with them definitely helped me grow and come to love basketball." He wears No. 3 because it is his mom's favorite number. He smiles when people are surprised by his athleticism. "A lot of people don't think I can dunk," he said, "but I can."
His goals are direct. "March Madness," Roberts said. "I want to help this team get there." Day to day, he wants his game to reflect effort and poise. "It's about giving everything you have every time you step on the floor," he said. "Make the right play, defend, bring energy." The crowd centers him. "Knowing they're there watching me play makes me feel confident," he said. "It helps me settle into the moment."
Off the floor, Roberts keeps life uncomplicated. He loves tennis and pickleball. He has volunteered at projects feeding the homeless and talks about effort as something that extends beyond the court. "You learn a lot by serving," he said. "It puts things in perspective."
The choice to sign before his mission made this season feel like a continuation rather than a restart. He returned with clarity, a plan, and a program that had been part of his future for two years. It shows in how he practices, how he prepares, and how he talks about the team.
Jaxson Roberts did not rush his path to Utah Valley. He prepared for it. The result is a true freshman who looks like he belongs, a guard whose game is built on effort, pace, and the next right play. "I'm here to work and help us win," he said. "That is the focus every day."
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