Playing a different game

In the high-pressure world of college sports, it’s easyfor players to become consumed by the game and for a career-stoppinginjury to seem like the end of the world. This September, MichiganState University senior Delvon Roe chose to end a promising basketballcareer due to chronic knee pain. But he’s found there is life beyondthe court.

After his decision not to play in his senior year, Roedecided to pursue an acting career. The theater major has already beencast in two films, “AWOL,” with Liam Hemsworth, and “Gametime,” withDanny Glover and James Brolin, both set to be released next year.

He is also in the running to play Earvin “Magic” Johnsonin “Magic/Bird,” a Broadway play inspired by the friendship betweenJohnson and fellow basketball legend Larry Bird. 

“I love the ability to step outside yourself as a personand become someone totally different,” Roe said. Another great thingabout acting is the ability to put aside your personal problems anddive into a character, he added.

Unlike basketball, which he has been playing sincechildhood, acting was not always an interest for Roe. In fact, it wasnot until he came to MSU that the thought even crossed his mind. As acriminal justice major, Roe was required to take two theater classes.His teachers noticed his natural acting ability and urged him to becomea theater major, which he refused. It was not until a tutor reallypushed him to enter theater that he decided to make the switch, he said. 

““I’m so glad that she pushed me to start acting,” he said. “I really feel like I have a lot of opportunities in the future.”

Roe auditioned for the theater program and was accepted.He was also required to audition for the spring plays, and wassubsequently cast a wrestler in “As You Like It.” Roe enjoyed this rolebecause it gave him a chance to experience wrestling, which he hadnever done before. 

His acting experience at MSU led him to sign with managerNadia Sellers of Okemos Modeling. Earlier this year, he played asupporting role in his first movie, the war film “AWOL,” an experiencethat he says he greatly enjoyed. 

““In movies each day is something different,” Roe said.“The last scene of a movie is really the first scene of shoot. To seethat transform into a movie is really special.” He would prefer tofocus more on movies in the future, but will always love the art of atheater production, he added. 

If it weren’t for his chronic knee problems, however, hewould never have pursued those opportunities and would of insteadfocused on a career in the National Basketball Association.  

“That’s why I really believe everything happens for areason,” he said. “If I had been playing I would not have been able todo ‘AWOL.’ I wouldn’t have had the time.”

Basketball will always be a part of Roe’s life. He stillhangs out with his former teammates and frequently watches their games,he said, adding that they are enjoying his career as well.

““They’re glad I’m doing something that I love to do andthat I have the opportunity to do,” he said. “Most people love to dotwo different things but never get to explore that second opportunity.I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do two things I lovein my life.”

There are many parallels between basketball and acting,Roe said. In basketball, you have to have confidence and learn to becalm, just as in acting. 

After his graduation next May, Roe would like to pursue acting full time and has set ambitious goals for himself.

“I would like to work my way up to becoming one of thebest actors there is,” he said, adding that he has a long day to go. “Ifeel if I put my mind, and heart and everything I have into it, one dayI could possibly get to those goals.”

In acting and basketball, Roe believes in pursuing thingswith all your heart — and that’s advice he would like to pass ontoothers. 

“Really believe in what your abilities are,” he said.“Believe that you are meant to do what you are doing, and if you wantto do it go out and do it 100 percent.” 

For more information about Delvon Roe, visit his page at the Internet Movie Database at www.imdb.com/name/nm4615544/.