Lawrence Roberts (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Edward Roberts III (born October 20, 1982) is an American
professional basketball
player. Roberts played for two years as a power forward
for Lamar High School, alongside Emeka Okafor
of Bellaire High School
. He currently plays with the Lithuania
n pro club BC Lietuvos Rytas
.
for two seasons, where he made the Big 12 All-Freshman team, but transferred to Mississippi State University
in 2003 following the basketball scandal
that rocked Baylor's program that year. He was a first-team All-American and the SEC Player of the Year
in 2003–04, leading Mississippi State to its first top-two seeding in the NCAA tournament. In the 2003–04 season he averaged 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds. He was first-team All-SEC and a first team All-American in 2003–04, finishing third to Jameer Nelson
and Emeka Okafor
for national player of the year honors. In the 2004–05 season he averaged 16.9 points and 11.0 rebounds. He recorded the first triple-double in Mississippi State history against Nicholls State University
with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, while wearing an irritating translucent plastic face mask to protect his broken nose.
in the 2005 NBA Draft
but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies
in exchange for two future second round draft picks and cash considerations. He was signed to a contract on July 10, 2005.
and signed with Greek
powerhouse Olympiacos
on a two-year deal, but was released from his contract 3 months later.
Without a club and not playing competitive basketball for more than nine months, Roberts was signed by Serbia
n club Red Star Belgrade
on 18 September 2008 to a one-year contract.
On 25 September 2009, Roberts was signed to the Indiana Pacers
training camp roster, but got released less than a month later on 19 October 2009.
Two days later, on 21 October 2009, Roberts signed a contract with Partizan Belgrade
. At Partizan he had what could be considered a breakthrough season in Europe, helping the team reach Euroleague's Final Four.
In July 2010 he signed with the Turkish basketball club Efes Pilsen Istanbul.
On July 12, 2011 he signed a two-year deal with BC Lietuvos Rytas
.
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Memphis
| 33 || 0 || 5.5 || .455 || .000 || .478 || 1.5 || .2 || .2 || .1 || 1.5
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Memphis
| 54 || 18 || 17.9 || .452 || .000 || .725 || 4.8 || .6 || .7 || .2 || 5.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 87 || 18 || 13.2 || .452 || .000 || .688 || 3.6 || .4 || .5 || .1 || 3.8
of the Good Morning America
fame.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. Roberts played for two years as a power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
for Lamar High School, alongside Emeka Okafor
Emeka Okafor
Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor, abbreviated as Emeka Okafor , is an American basketball power forward and center for the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Prior to the NBA, Okafor attended Houston's Bellaire High School, and the University of Connecticut.-Early life:Okafor...
of Bellaire High School
Bellaire High School (Bellaire, Texas)
Bellaire High School is a secondary school of the Houston Independent School District, and its campus is located in Bellaire, Texas ....
. He currently plays with the Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
n pro club BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos rytas is a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania playing in the Lithuanian Basketball League , the VTB United League, and the Eurocup...
.
College
Roberts attended Baylor UniversityBaylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
for two seasons, where he made the Big 12 All-Freshman team, but transferred to Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
in 2003 following the basketball scandal
Baylor University basketball scandal
The Baylor University basketball scandal was an incident in which the Baylor University men's basketball program was investigated and punished for numerous NCAA violations. The scandal broke out after the 2003 murder of men's basketball player Patrick Dennehy...
that rocked Baylor's program that year. He was a first-team All-American and the SEC Player of the Year
SEC Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is an award given to the player who has proven himself, throughout the season, to be the most exceptional talent in the Southeastern Conference. The school with the most SEC Player of the Year award winners is Kentucky, with 13 total...
in 2003–04, leading Mississippi State to its first top-two seeding in the NCAA tournament. In the 2003–04 season he averaged 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds. He was first-team All-SEC and a first team All-American in 2003–04, finishing third to Jameer Nelson
Jameer Nelson
Jameer Nelson is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the NBA. He played college basketball at Saint Joseph's University and was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets but was traded to the Orlando Magic, where he has played for his...
and Emeka Okafor
Emeka Okafor
Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor, abbreviated as Emeka Okafor , is an American basketball power forward and center for the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Prior to the NBA, Okafor attended Houston's Bellaire High School, and the University of Connecticut.-Early life:Okafor...
for national player of the year honors. In the 2004–05 season he averaged 16.9 points and 11.0 rebounds. He recorded the first triple-double in Mississippi State history against Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University, founded in 1948, is a public university located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, USA. Nicholls is part of the University of Louisiana System of universities. Originally called Francis T. Nicholls Junior College, the institution split from the Louisiana State University System in...
with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, while wearing an irritating translucent plastic face mask to protect his broken nose.
NBA
Roberts was a second round draft pick (55th overall) of the Seattle SuperSonicsSeattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
in the 2005 NBA Draft
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
but was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
in exchange for two future second round draft picks and cash considerations. He was signed to a contract on July 10, 2005.
Europe
After two seasons with the Grizzlies, in July 2007, he moved to EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and signed with Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
powerhouse Olympiacos
Olympiacos BC
Olympiacos B.C. , also known simply as Olympiacos and Olympiacos Piraeus, is a Greek professional basketball club, part of Olympiacos CFP, based in Piraeus. The basketball club, founded in 1931, is one of the most successful in Greece and a traditional powerhouse in European competitions...
on a two-year deal, but was released from his contract 3 months later.
Without a club and not playing competitive basketball for more than nine months, Roberts was signed by Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n club Red Star Belgrade
KK Crvena zvezda
Košarkaški klub Crvena zvezda is a professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia. Its name Crvena zvezda means Red Star and it's part of the Red Star Belgrade sports society ....
on 18 September 2008 to a one-year contract.
On 25 September 2009, Roberts was signed to the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
training camp roster, but got released less than a month later on 19 October 2009.
Two days later, on 21 October 2009, Roberts signed a contract with Partizan Belgrade
KK Partizan
Košarkaški klub Partizan is a Serbian professional basketball club. It is part of the multi-sports Belgrade-based club Partizan. The club competes in the Serbian League, Adriatic League and the Euroleague....
. At Partizan he had what could be considered a breakthrough season in Europe, helping the team reach Euroleague's Final Four.
In July 2010 he signed with the Turkish basketball club Efes Pilsen Istanbul.
On July 12, 2011 he signed a two-year deal with BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos Rytas
BC Lietuvos rytas is a professional basketball club based in Vilnius, Lithuania playing in the Lithuanian Basketball League , the VTB United League, and the Eurocup...
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Memphis
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
| 33 || 0 || 5.5 || .455 || .000 || .478 || 1.5 || .2 || .2 || .1 || 1.5
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Memphis
| 54 || 18 || 17.9 || .452 || .000 || .725 || 4.8 || .6 || .7 || .2 || 5.2
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 87 || 18 || 13.2 || .452 || .000 || .688 || 3.6 || .4 || .5 || .1 || 3.8
Personal
Roberts is the nephew of former sportscaster Robin RobertsRobin Roberts (newscaster)
Robin René Roberts is an American television broadcaster. Roberts is the co-anchor of ABC's morning show Good Morning America-Early life:...
of the Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
fame.