Interview with Pepperdine University Guard, Robbie Heath

After tearing up division two this year, at Pennsylvania's West Chester University, Abington High School alumni Robbie Heath entered the transfer portal. After a few weeks in the portal and talking to different coaches, Robbie committed to a West Coast Conference program in Pepperdine University. In the article below I pick Robbie's brain about his prep school experience, his year at West Chester, and his future at Pepperdine. We would like to thank Robbie for being the first interview here at the Beef Up Front!

Q: "I wanted to thank you Robbie for being our first guest interview here at the Beef Up Front, but how have you been holding up with COVID-19?"

A: "Thanks for having me. Yeah this is some pretty crazy stuff going on. I’m just sanitizing my hands a lot and minimizing the times I go outside. With that being said I am still working out on outdoor basketball courts and going for runs and doing in-home workouts."

Q: "Coming out of high school, you were a three time district champion at Abington, a 1,000 point scorer, and a multiple time all-league player. But, you weren’t recruited by many programs and decided to go to prep school. What was the reasoning behind that when it comes to what you heard from college programs that led you to prep school?"

A: "When it comes to high school accolades there aren’t many players around that have my resume, but I guess what I did meant nothing to these local schools which is funny when you look back at it. I went to prep school because I didn’t have any real division one offers coming out of high school. I heard the “You’re a division 1 player but….” “I don’t know what position you play” “You didn’t play AAU” I heard all of these things and more.. I laughed at those statements back then and I laugh at them now. But at that time prep school was my only option."

Q: "Did you ever consider going out of high school going overseas, back to Australia to play professionally on the international level? "

A: "I wasn’t on anyone's radar. I wasn’t known in basketball in Australia so even If i wanted to go back and play in Australia in the NBL I couldn’t because I was a nobody. If you put it in perspective if I didn’t get any division one offers coming out of high school, why would a top three league in the world like the NBL take a chance on me? I knew I could play on that level I just needed an opportunity."

Q: "After prep school, you went to division two West Chester, and lit it up as a freshman scoring 24.6 ppg, which led the nation for division two freshman. What from your West Chester experience do you think will help you translate to the division one level best?"

A: "Yeah it was a good year but I wasn’t surprised. I led all freshmen in division one, two and three in scoring. What I did at West Chester is something I feel I can do anywhere. Not having plays ran for me allowed me to figure things out about myself on the fly. I had to learn to be really efficient and creative in finding scoring opportunities."

Q: "After entering the transfer portal, and ultimately deciding on Pepperdine, what were the other schools you were considering? "

A: "Xavier, Santa Barbara, New Mexico St, Washington St. But, to be honest after the first phone call I had with Coach Romar, I had Pepperdine all the way."

Q: "Head coach Lorenzo Romar at Pepperdine has great basketball experience as he is an NBA veteran, has coached at major colleges like Washington, as assistant at Arizona, and now he is trying to lead the Waves to new heights in the West Coast Conference. What did coach tell you of his vision for yourself and the program moving forward? "

A: "Oh I was well aware. I felt like I talked his ear off during our first conversation because I wanted to know how hard players like Isaiah Thomas, Brandon Roy and Markelle Fultz worked when he coached them. When I was on the phone with Coach Romar it felt like I knew him for years. I can tell he is a straight shooter just like me, meaning that he tells it how it is and if you don’t like it then oh well. He said to me that the team needs scoring, especially a guard that can really score. He didn’t talk about his accolades or anything like that, he just wanted to know about me as a person. He has coached some prolific scorers in the NBA and in his system he lets his guards do what they do. So, when I was going for my run ready to make my decision, I thought I’d be stupid to go anywhere else."

Q: "Throughout high school you were a combo guard, and with your ability to score, pass, and handle the ball you have that ability to do it in college as well. What do you think your role/position will be for Pepperdine going forward?"

A: "I think I’ve been recruited to bring some scoring punch to the backcourt, but I’ll also bring defense and leadership... And some swagger."

Q: "Playing at Pepperdine in the West Coast Conference you get to play against nationally ranked programs like Gonzaga, BYU, and St.Mary’s each year. What do you think that yourself, Coach Romar, and the rest of your team have to do to get yourself to that upper tier level of the conference?"

A: "I think we’re already at the upper tier. We’ve got to gel as a team, as there’s new pieces coming in and coach has to put the puzzle together."

Q: "My last question is, do you envision yourself completing your college career and getting your degree, or are you going to try and make the jump to the professional level when you feel you are ready? Thanks again for your time and be safe!"

A: "I always envisioned myself getting a degree so no question I will be completing college, but I have always envisioned myself making it to the league, whether I leave early or stay all of my years only time will tell. Really appreciate being the first guest here on BEEF UP FRONT, stay safe and healthy!"