University of Georgia Athletics
Pachis Roberts: On & Off The Court
May 11, 2015 | Women's Basketball
When did you start playing basketball? I started playing at the age of 11. The dad of a soccer teammate talked me into playing at Fair Oaks Recreational Center.
What coach had the greatest influence on you? Coach Kip Thomas. He was my first coach at Fair Oaks. He encouraged all of us to just work hard. He also taught me that since I played so many sports (soccer, volleyball and track) that there were different aspects of those sports that could help me with basketball.
Is there something about basketball that just seemed to come naturally? The ability get the ball, rip it through and go to the basket.
What is your greatest attribute as a basketball player? I think my height allows me to guard a guard and also a post player.
What's your favorite part of playing basketball? I enjoy traveling to different places and meeting new people.
What's your least favorite part of playing basketball? The long practice days.
Do you have an inspirational motto? "The more tired I am, the harder I work." Coach Derrika Troup came up with that motto for our team at Tapp Middle School. We kept it all the way through high school.
In 10 years I will be....successful in the real estate industry with a cute dog.
The most famous person from my high school is...Josh Smith.
The most famous person I've ever met is...Will Smith. When I was at Syracuse, we ran into him in a hotel. He walked out of an elevator when we were getting ready to leave for a game. He's really not that tall. He's my height. I thought he was 6-2.
Do you have a nickname? "Pachis" is actually my nickname. My name is Pachiyaanna (Patch-ee-ah-nuh). Coach Kip shortened it because he didn't want to say my whole name. It was too much.
On Campus:
Dining Hall go-to item: The chicken Philly at ECV with swiss cheese on a white bread sub roll.
Favorite professor: Dr. Kimberly Skobba. She's very nice, and she tries to get every student engaged. She has a lot of projects we have to do as a group.
I chose my major because...I love houses. I love going in new houses and seeing the features like granite counter tops.
Dishing on Teammates:
Funniest: Tiaria.
Best Singer: We don't really have a good singer.
Best cook: Erika.
Best Shooter: Tiaria.
Best Defender: Cobi.
Best Rebounder: Krista.
Italian Memories:
Pasta or pizza? Pasta. Chicken tortellini was my favorite.
Favorite flavor of gelato: Oh my God. I ate so much gelato. I liked the strawberry. I tried at least 15 flavors. I think I had gelato twice a day.
Favorite historic site: The Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Favorite city: Rome. I liked that we were able to walk around and see how everything was built together.
Most enjoyable moment: The boat ride at Lake Como. I'd never been on a boat like that before. To be out there with the team, where it was so serene, was amazing.
Did you have a "Wow" moment? Yes. The Coliseum. I was amazed how they were able to build it and it's still standing.