ORLANDO, Fla. -- Sixty names were announced on June 26 as the 2014 NBA draft unfolded. Saint Joseph’s University’s Ronald Roberts Jr. did not hear his name.
"Obviously, after I went undrafted it gave me a chip on my shoulder to go out there to play hard and play with energy," Roberts said. "I am trying to play harder than anyone else and let everything else fall into place."
Things started falling into place for Roberts when the Sixers called and asked him to be a member of their Orlando Pro Summer League team.
"I am happy that I am playing with the Sixers in Orlando," Roberts said. "I think that I fit well. The coaches believe in me. I get to do a lot of things on the court. It is all about being comfortable when you are on the court. I am taking it all in and trying to do the best that I can when I step on the court."
Through two games, Roberts is averaging 12.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting 75.0 percent from the floor.
Sunday night, Roberts split two defenders with one dribble in the paint and rose above the rim for a two-handed dunk. The move earned “dunk of the night” from NBA.com.
It helps that Roberts has a plan every time he steps on the court.
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"I just start out by saying I am going to get every rebound," Roberts explained. "After that I let everything else fall into place. I am going to get a put-back off an offensive rebound. Or I am going to get a dunk to get myself started. That is how I approach the game."
Roberts is especially aggressive going after offensive rebounds. As a senior playing for the Hawks, 92 of Roberts’ 238 rebounds were offensive.
Here in Orlando, entering Tuesday night's game against the Rockets, he has grabbed 11 of his 15 rebounds at the offensive end of the floor.
"I like getting offensive rebounds," Roberts said. "Defensive rebounds I get as well, but I think my offensive rebounding is what separates me here from a lot of the guys. I am going to try and use that to my advantage."
Roberts' efforts and energy have not gone unnoticed.
"We have talked about it the whole time. He is all energy," assistant coach Lloyd Pierce said. "That is who he is. Great athlete, plays with intensity, plays hard on every possession and that helps everything we do. He is a big that can get out and run. He converges the defense when he runs to the rim and then defensively he gives you everything."
Roberts is expected to make his third summer league start on Thursday night when the Sixers play the Rockets.