By Marc Raimondi
The Roberts brothers, both natives of East Elmhurst, are completely different basketball players. They're both athletic, but the 5-foot-10 Daisean is the more gifted of the two with a dizzying array of dunks and fast-break killing blocked shots. The 6-foot-1 Kayvon has ups, too, but he's more of a jump shooter and a steely, lockdown defender.But the things that set them apart actually help them mesh together, according to their mother.”As aggressive as Kayvon gets, Daisean has the ability to bring him down,” Wanda Roberts said. “Kayvon can also light a fire under Daisean when needed.”Daisean Roberts, a junior, transferred this season from Rice in Harlem to Cardozo, which is less than five miles from where his brother, who is a senior, plays at Holy Cross. The closeness has been geographical, emotional and necessary all at once – their parents are going through a tough divorce that has affected the brothers' performance on the court and in the classroom.”I think basketball became their outlet,” Wanda Roberts said. “They talk about things and they work it out together…I really commend them for not quitting.”Kayvon and Daisean are far from quitting. Both of their teams are still alive in the playoffs and are counting on the two of them to do what they're capable of. Holy Cross was scheduled to play Rice in the CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals Wednesday night at St. John's University. Cardozo was scheduled to take on Canarsie in PSAL Class AA first round Wednesday at home in Bayside.”I think it can only get better,” Wanda Roberts said. “I think the more they realize [the divorce] is not their fault, they'll get better.”Both have admittedly had sub-par seasons for their talent level. Kayvon emerged as one of the Knights' stars last season and became McDonald's All-American Sylven Landesberg's right-hand man in the scoring column. This year, his three-pointers aren't falling as much, but he's helped the team in other ways – with his defense and passing. Kayvon says the divorce affected him “mostly in the classroom,” but Wanda says it has taken its toll on the court, too.”The second half of the season, he's been coming together,” Landesberg said.Daisean has had to deal with other issues. He's gone from Rice, a small, all-boys' school to Cardozo, one of the most overcrowded schools in New York City. Unlike his brother, Daisean is still waiting for his break-out season and it could happen next year with the Judges' star point guard, Trinity Fields, graduating. Daisean might have to take on the role as the team's go-to guy and coach Ron Naclerio has confidence he can fill it.”With him, I see Division I talent,” Naclerio said.There's still a lot to overcome – and not just the powerhouses of the CHSAA and the PSAL. They'll undoubtedly need to lean on each other to get through the playoffs and their own family's issues.”I always talk to him about how I feel,” Kayvon Roberts said. “He talks to me about how he feels.”Reach Associate Sports Editor Marc Raimondi by e-mail at mraimondi@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 130.
