Jack Piatt
Daily Egyptian
Former Saluki basketball star Rolan Roberts is currently in Orlando playing summer league basketball for the Indiana Pacers.
Roberts was in Carbondale when he received the call from his agent a few weeks ago informing him that the Pacers had selected him to play on their summer league team.
He then headed to Sacramento to meet with his personal trainer for two weeks to prepare for the summer league. After the two-week workout, he traveled to Indianapolis to meet with the Pacers and practice for three days.
The team headed to Orlando Monday to begin summer league play.
Roberts has played in two games so far this week. The first game was against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday, and the second was against the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
Luke Recker, the former University of Iowa star, and William Avery, a former first-round draft pick from Duke, were a couple of the opponents Roberts faced in his game against the Heat. Roberts played 31 minutes, scoring nine points, grabbing six rebounds and blocking one shot. In the first game, Roberts played 22 minutes, grabbing three boards.
The Pacers' summer league team has three games left before they return home to Indianapolis.
"After this league, I might play in another summer league," Roberts said. "I just have to wait and find out where I will go next."
Roberts was the Missouri Valley Conference's defensive player of the year last season as well as the newcomer of the year. He came to Carbondale after playing his first three seasons at Virginia Tech.
He wasn't selected in the recent NBA draft, but according to Roberts, he didn't think getting drafted would have been his best option. He said his best chance to play in the NBA is to come in as a free agent and shop for teams that need his particular skills.
"Free agency will give Roberts more options," said SIU basketball head coach Bruce Weber last month.
Prior to the draft, Roberts worked out for the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers. Other teams have also shown interest in Roberts.
SIU incoming freshman guard Tony Young feels confident about the former Saluki star's chances.
"Roberts has the potential to play in the NBA," Young said prior to the draft.
Reporter Jack Piatt can be reached at jpiatt@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
