Deonte Roberts

Julio Jimenez, Tribune

Deonte Roberts

Julio Jimenez, Tribune

Deonte Roberts’ game of choice has always been basketball. Growing up in south-central Los Angeles through age 14 reduced him to playing a game he didn’t enjoy — keep away.

“When I lived there I lost a lot of friends,” said Roberts, a senior at Mesa Red Mountain High School. “I didn’t know if I’d make it through the day. Not just one day. Every day.”

Roberts’ life is no longer filled with that hideous anxiety. As he was completing eighth grade in a bad L.A. neighborhood, his mother and grandmother considered sending him to live with his aunt in Mesa.

“My mom didn’t want that for a while,” Roberts said. “But when she agreed and we got the OK, it happened.”

Roberts said it was easy on his end. But he knew it was a big step for his aunt, Stacy. She was pregnant with her second child and had her own family and marriage to mind. Stacy and James Scales agreed to make room for one more. His aunt is his guardian.

“His situation was a bad one living in that part of the city,” Stacy Scales said. “We really weren’t sure we could afford to take care of him and our family, too. When he told me he wasn’t sure he would live to see his 18th birthday, that was it. We couldn’t afford not to have him come live with us.”

Stacy Scales said Deonte has been no trouble.

“He’s a wonderful kid,” she said. “My discipline style is different than my sister’s. He doesn’t lie to me. He knows he can tell me anything. My husband has also been a great male role model for him. Deonte’s been a blessing to us.”

A typical day in California for Roberts was simple and the same each day — getting to school quickly and getting home just as quickly. His mother would always stand lookout. Even arriving home a few minutes later than usual heightened fear that something was wrong.

“I saw drugs, people I know and a few friends get murdered,” Roberts said. “My dad was a former gang member. I’ve seen it all. I was able to get out. I’m one of the lucky few.”

Enrolling in the ninth grade at Fremont Junior High when he came to Mesa, Roberts initially felt strange in his new surroundings.

“I didn’t hear helicopters and ambulances all the time,” Roberts said. “I had my own room, my own TV. Slept in my own bed. I could go outside and have fun. A lot of things opened up for me. I thank God for it every day.”

What has Roberts done with his new life? On the court, he’s been a three-year starter for Red Mountain’s basketball team. Last year he averaged 16 points and 14 rebounds a game.

This year he’s averaging 18 points and 13.4 rebounds a game.

He’s also active in student council and other clubs at school. Last month he was selected homecoming king at the final regular-season football game.

“Coming here I was able to go out and be a kid,” Roberts said. “Wear what color I wanted. Hang out with friends. The last few years I’ve done just about everything I want to do in life. I’ve experienced things a couple years ago I never thought possible. … I used to be afraid of dying. I’m not afraid of that anymore.”

Red Mountain coach Greg Sessions said he got his first glimpse of Roberts when basketball season opened in Roberts’ freshman year.

“I’m glad his grandmother was able to get him to a better area,” Sessions said. “Since I’ve known him, he’s matured to the extent he’s more reliable and he’s more comfortable with himself and others. It’s actually been pretty seamless how he’s fit in and mixed with everyone.

“Basketball-wise he’s more conscious of wanting to be a leader on our team. It’s important to him. When you shake hands with him you kind of understand if he gets his hands on the ball, he’s the one that’s going to get it. He’s very strong.”

Roberts is so busy with school and basketball he rarely gets to see his family except perhaps during holidays. At Thanksgiving, Red Mountain played in a tournament in Tucson; later this month — a day after Christmas — they play in another. His grandmother, the breadwinner primarily while he grew up, is coming for a week this month. His little sister, Jamya, arrives a bit after that.

“She’ll be here while we play a tournament at Mountain View,” Deonte said of Jamya. “She’ll be 8 on Dec. 28 while she’s here. She’s No. 1 in her class (second grade). She’s very smart. I’m going to take her out to a movie while she’s here.”

Another one of those little things that opened up for him four years ago.

Deonte Roberts, senior, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, center

Three-year starter for Red Mountain.

Averaged six points a game his sophomore year; 16.4 points and 13.8 rebounds a game last year.

This year through 11 games is averaging 18.5 points per games and 12.8 rebounds per game.

Scored a school-record 43 points vs. Vail Cienega last month in a game in the Salpointe Tip-Off Classic in Tucson.

Last week grabbed a career-high 24 rebounds in a victory over Gilbert Highland.