J'Wan Roberts

Last updated
J'Wan Roberts
No. 13Houston Cougars
Position Forward
League Big 12 Conference
Personal information
Born (2001-09-19) September 19, 2001 (age 23)
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school Shoemaker
(Killeen, Texas)
College Houston (2019–2025)
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-Big 12 (2025)
  • Third-team All-Big 12 (2024)
  • Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2025)
  • Second-team All-AAC (2023)
  • AAC Most Improved Player (2023)

J'Wan Andone Roberts (born September 19, 2001) is an American college basketball player for the Houston Cougars of the Big 12 Conference.

Contents

Early life and high school career

Roberts was born and raised in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. [1] After completing the 8th grade, he moved to the United States to live with his aunt in Killeen, Texas, in order to pursue a basketball career and increase his exposure to scouts. [1] [2] Houston coach Kelvin Sampson first noticed Roberts in 2017 while scouting another player at an exhibition game in Las Vegas. [2] Sampson began tracking Roberts' career and following a strong junior season at Shoemaker High School, offered him a scholarship. [2] Following an official visit, Roberts committed to the University of Houston on September 2, 2018. [3] [2]

College career

Roberts redshirted during the 2019–20 season. In 2020–21, he began to receive playing time while Fabian White Jr. was injured. Following White's return from injury, Roberts received less playing time as the Cougars made a run to the Final Four. [4] Roberts emerged as a key player off the bench for the Cougars in 2021–22, establishing himself as one of the team's top rebounders. [1] [2] In 2022–23, Roberts' play continued to improve, and he was named a starter. Along with becoming a leader in the locker room, he helped Houston achieve their first AP Poll #1 ranking since 1983, garnering praise from former Cougar Hakeem Olajuwon. [2] [5] [6]

Due to NCAA rules on granting a bonus year of eligibility for all student-athletes impacted by COVID during the 2020-21 season, Roberts had the chance to play for a fifth season with the 2024-25 season. During the year, he became the fourth player (Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon, Cadillac Anderson) with 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 points in program history. [7]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2019–20 Houston Redshirt.svg Redshirt
2020–21 Houston 25110.8.559.5263.8.3.4.61.9
2021–22 Houston 38016.2.628.000.5004.9.5.6.43.2
2022–23 Houston 373626.4.612.000.6867.71.2.71.310.0
2023–24 Houston 363626.7.596.000.5116.81.91.3.99.5
2024–25 Houston 373730.3.490.6256.51.81.0.710.6
Career17311020.7.564.000.5896.11.2.8.87.4

References

  1. 1 2 3 Baldwin, Chris (2022-02-26). "Island Fierce — J'Wan Roberts' Unusual Origin Story Masks a Rebounding Savant, Giving Up Beach Life for Sampson Time". PaperCity Magazine. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mueller, James (2023-01-31). "After years of 'selflessness,' J'Wan Roberts' time is here". The Cougar. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  3. "J'Wan Roberts commits to Houston Cougars". www.thehrr.com. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  4. Duarte, Joseph (2023-02-24). "For Houston's J'Wan Roberts, waiting his turn pays off big time this season". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  5. Mueller, James (2022-10-18). "'The perfect teammate': J'Wan Roberts' mentorship of Jarace Walker". The Cougar. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  6. Baldwin, Chris (2023-01-02). "J'Wan Roberts Impresses Hakeem Olajuwon, Shows Why Kelvin Sampson's UH Player Development System Is the Best In College Basketball". PaperCity Magazine. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  7. https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/jwan-roberts-uhs-winningest-player-chases-title-as-final-stretch-begins/article_971acd40-0030-11f0-ba7f-6b6b27313845.html