As everyone was watching every step of Nerlens Noel’s Orlando Summer League debut with the 76ers, fellow big man and St. Joe’s product Ronald Roberts quietly put together one of the most impressive performances of the exhibition season. The deceptively nimble forward handled himself quite well on the first of two Philadelphia Summer teams before joining the Miami Heat for the Las Vegas League. At 6’8″, 225 pounds, Roberts demonstrated an ability to crash the boards and use his athleticism amongst frontcourt opponents outweighing him, sometimes by a significant amount. En route to the 76ers Orlando League Title, Roberts averaged 10 points and just under seven rebounds a game. Given what they saw in his six games of action with their organization and time elsewhere around the exhibition circuit, the 76ers were convinced the local product was deserving of a contract and invite to camp.

Having watched basically all of the 76ers Summer League games, this is a move I can easily sign off on. Roberts was impossible to miss on the floor in Orlando, given his level of activity and athleticism. He provided a few ‘wow’ moments with emphatic slam dunks and played with a purpose on the floor. Even with the occasional sequence of trips down the court where Roberts would only look to score rather than pass out of less-than-ideal positions on the court, his positive contributions far outweighed any critical issues one may have seen.

Roberts also possesses a body type that the 76ers could probably use some more of. While big men Nerlens Noel and eventually Joel Embiid affect the floor with their extreme length and height, Roberts has a slightly more compact, muscular build. It was hard not to see his ability to take on body contact for rebounds while sometimes Noel could get pushed around underneath the boards.

The reported pact is partially guaranteed heading into the 2014-2015 season and beyond. Considering the roster that Roberts joins in Philadelphia, it would come as little surprise if the St. Joe’s standout competed for playing time out of camp. His primary competition will most likely be returning players Henry Sims, Jarvis Varnado, and potentially Anthony Bennett (should the 76ers eventually acquire his services).



