Cheer: Why DeVonte 'Dee' Joseph Chose Cheerleading Over Basketball
Season 2 of Cheer made household names of several members of Trinity Valley Community College's cheer squad, including powerhouse tumbler, DeVonte «Dee» Joseph. Fans couldn't help but be awe-struck by his flips which included his signature move, «the quint»- a full twisting layout of five 360 degree rotations that combines flipping upside down and twisting simultaneously while the body is fully extended. The trick is considered so dangerous it is banned by NCA competitions.
During an interview segment of season 2, Cardinals assistant coach, Khris Franklin, refers to DeVonte as the “most gifted youngster in America.” Despite almost losing his spot on the mat for his unwillingness to «perform» the choreography of TVCC's routine, he was arguably the most skilled athlete to be featured on the show thus far. So it might surprise viewers to learn that cheerleading was not the future Trinity Valley Cardinal's first sport of choice. Originally, he had hoped to play basketball.
Related: Cheer 2: What Jada Wooten Is Up To After The Show
The Birmingham, Alabama, native displayed impressive talent for tumbling and gymnastics at a very early age. He would do flips and handsprings along with his older brother, D'Anthony. Despite being seven years his junior, DeVonte's skills were on par with his brother's and their mother decided to put both brothers into a cheer gym. The eventual NCA national champion enjoyed tumbling but felt cheerleading to be a «girl sport» and switched his attention to basketball.
At the time, DeVonte also felt he was being held back in cheer. Even at his young age, his skill levels were incredibly advanced but due to safety restrictions he wasn't allowed to perform with the older groups. This frustrated the
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