Former Hawk Remaining in Philadelphia

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

News broke late Monday night that for the fourth consecutive season, the Sixers will be bringing a rookie from a Philadelphia Big 5 school to training camp, as St. Joe’s alum Ronald Roberts, Jr. has reportedly signed a 3-year deal with the team.

#NBA story: Ronald Roberts appears headed to #Sixers camp on 3-year deal: http://t.co/zKe1KUgOu6 @HHardwood #76ers @PhillyHoopsTalk

— Tom Moore (@tmoore76ers) August 12, 2014

Roberts follows in the footsteps of Khalif Wyatt, Maalik Wayns, and Lavoy Allen in getting a shot with the city’s professional team after playing at a nearby university. However, unlike the previous two training camp participants from that group, it appears that the ex-Hawk will be sticking around longer. Rumor is that Roberts, Jr.’s deal is at least partially guaranteed, making it exceedingly unlikely that he would be a late cut following camp. It makes sense that the Sixers would have needed to make some sort of firm commitment to him, as Roberts had a contract in place with the French club Chalon out of the Euroleague, which he needed to opt out of by the beginning of this month. One could speculate he turned down what would presumably have been more money in an overseas contract to continue chasing that NBA dream and stay closer to home.

In his final collegiate game, Roberts, Jr. recorded a double-double in the Hawks’ tournament loss to eventual NCAA champion Connecticut. He averaged 14.4 points on 60.0% shooting and 7.4 rebounds during his senior season with St. Joseph’s (finishing 2nd on the team in both categories). Roberts, Jr. was one of the bright spots for the Sixers’ champion summer league team in Orlando, averaging 10.2 points and 7.4 rebounds over 5 games. He also received a look from Miami in the Vegas Summer League where he put up similar per-minute stat lines in reduced playing time.

Roberts, Jr. has nearly zero offensive game outside the paint but showed off his elite athleticism finishing around the basket and cleaning the glass. Although undersized at 6’8″, he could find his way into some playing time as a backup big for the Sixers this season. Roberts, Jr. is another example of GM Sam Hinkie not being satisfied with the status quo, and continuing to churn the roster until he uncovers some serviceable NBA pieces. Hopefully, Roberts, Jr. fits the bill, and as an added bonus, he continues the tradition of the Big 5 pipeline to the Sixers.