Stanley Corvet Roberts (born February 7, 1970) is an American former professional basketball player who played center. He was said to have the potential to be the best center of all time.[1] He played college basketball for Louisiana State University (LSU) before being drafted 23rd overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1991 NBA draft.
Early life
Roberts attended Lower Richland High School in Hopkins, where he led his team to two straight state championships, was a Parade first-team All-American his senior year, and was considered a top-five player nationally, holding his own against Alonzo Mourning in the Dapper Dan and McDonald's All-Star Games.
College career
Subsequently, he played collegiately at Louisiana State University, teaming up in his (Roberts') only season with Shaquille O'Neal, during O'Neal's first season at LSU. Roberts was forced to sit out his freshman season at LSU due to academic ineligibility and would only play one season before leaving LSU to join the professional ranks.
After his professional career ended Roberts returned to LSU to complete his degree.[2]
Roberts missed all but 14 games in the 1993–94 season, then all of the next due to an Achilles tendon injury, first in one leg, then the other.[5] Amazingly, he still bounced back for three more respectable seasons.
ABA and international play (1999-2004)
After an unassuming six-game spell with the Rockets, as a member of the 76ers in late 1999, Roberts was banned by the NBA for drug violations.[3][6] Before retiring, he played in Greece, Turkey, the ABA and Puerto Rico. In the 2003 off-season, the 33-year-old signed for the Toronto Raptors, being waived shortly after.[3]
