Listening to Lawrence Roberts talk about his basketball journey can lead you to believe he's much older than his 25 years. The Kings summer league forward has been featured in many major publications, from Sports Illustrated to The Sporting News. Each chronicled his journey from Baylor to Mississippi State.
Roberts was a star player at Baylor for two seasons when tragedy struck in the summer of 2003. His teammate, Patrick Dennehy, was killed. Another teammate was charged with the bizarre murder.
"It's a part of my career and something I went through," Roberts said after working out at the Kings practice facility. "It was a tough time."
Roberts transferred to Mississippi State, where he led the SEC in rebounding (11 rpg) and recorded the school's first-ever triple-double. He was selected 55th overall in the 2005 NBA draft by Seattle and traded to Memphis.
Roberts played two seasons with the Grizzlies during 2005-06 and 2006-07, averaging 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 87 games. He also spent time with the NBA Development League team the Arkansas RimRockers.
While with the Grizzlies, Roberts underwent knee surgery in 2006 to repair the lateral meniscus in his right knee.
Last summer, Memphis renounced their rights to Roberts and he headed overseas on a two-year contract with Greek powerhouse Olympiacos. However, he said foot surgery ended his stay early.
An Olympiacos press release stated that Roberts "failed to meet the expectations of head coach Pini Gershon, who decided to cut him and search for another player."
His outlook remains positive, though.
"I can't control what the past brought, but it made me a better person," Roberts said. "I still love basketball. That's the main thing. I do it out of love. All the things I've faced with injuries, I just play hard and I'm trying to get on someone's team."
News, observations and reader questions about the Sacramento Kings and the NBA.
July 11, 2008
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