Tech's first basketball star[2] entered school in 1920, and played with the freshmen in 1921, until coach Bill Alexander inserted him to boost the strength of his varsity team.[3] He played forward and guard.[4][5] He was All-Southern in 1922 and 1923.[6][7][8] Roane was captain of the 1923-24 team.[9] He was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 1971.[10]
One account reads "Roane is small in stature, but his ability to dribble, pass, and handle the ball eliminates the handicap. He is a dead shot if given half a chance, and is one of the greatest floormen in the south."[11]