Alan Williams
August 5, 2022
John Roberson
- Nationality: USA/BIH
- Date of Birth: 28/10/88
- Place of Birth: Kansas City, Kansas (USA)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 180
- Weight (KG): 78
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Texas Tech (2007–2011)
- NBL DEBUT: 3/10/19
- AGE AT DEBUT: 30
- LAST NBL GAME: 16/02/20
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 31
- NBL History: South East Melbourne 2020
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: John Roberson was born in Kansas City, Kansas (USA).
NBL EXPERIENCE
John Roberson made his NBL debut with the South East Melbourne Phoenix at 30 years of age. He scored 20 points in his first game.
South East Melbourne entered the NBL in 2019/20 as the league’s newest franchise, with Simon Mitchell appointed as the club’s first head coach and Mitch Creek signed as their marquee player. The Phoenix built their inaugural roster around Creek with Ben Madgen (via Germany), Adam Gibson (via Adelaide), Kyle Adnam (via Sydney), Tai Wesley (via New Zealand), import point guard John Roberson (via Russia) and Keith Benson (via Germany), who occupied the third import position at the start of the season.
Roberson signed with South East Melbourne on July 16, 2019 after spending the previous season with Enisey in Russia’s VTB United League. He immediately showed what he could provide during the NBL Blitz in Tasmania, winning tournament MVP honours before overcoming a virus which had moved through the Phoenix squad in the week leading into the regular season.
South East Melbourne’s first-ever game came against cross-town rivals Melbourne United on October 3 in the first ‘Throwdown’. Roberson (20 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists) made four three-pointers as the Phoenix won 91-88 after shooting 12-of-23 from long range, with Creek (28 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) and Adnam (11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) providing support, while Shawn Long (26 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) was United’s best. The win came at a cost when Wesley (8 points) injured his hamstring after playing just five minutes, keeping him out for the next ten weeks.
With Wesley sidelined, Jaye Crockett (8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds across 9 games) was brought in as an injury replacement.
Roberson (20.2 points and 5.6 assists across 28 games) established himself as one of the NBL’s most dangerous offensive guards, shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 43.6 percent from three and 92.4 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged four made three-pointers per game and finished the season with 112, setting what was then the NBL single-season record. He also finished fourth among the league’s scorers and third in assists. The virus he battled before Round 1 did not cause him to miss a regular-season game and Roberson appeared in all 28 games, with no injury-related absences during his only NBL season.
South East Melbourne’s first home game came against Brisbane on October 13, where Roberson (30 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists) made nine of his 11 three-point attempts as the Phoenix defeated the Bullets 113-93. Creek (25 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) and Kendall Stephens (17 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) helped South East Melbourne to the 20-point win, while Lamar Patterson (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Brisbane.
The Phoenix improved to 3-0 the following week with a 106-102 win over Illawarra. Roberson (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 10 assists) again controlled the offence, with Creek (23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Madgen (14 points and 4 rebounds) providing support, while Aaron Brooks (23 points) led the Hawks. Their unbeaten start ended in Perth the following round, where Roberson (8 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal) was held to his lowest score of the season as the Wildcats handed South East Melbourne a 110-79 loss.
By the time South East Melbourne reached 6-6, victories had become increasingly difficult to find, but Roberson produced one of the most remarkable individual performances of the NBL season against Cairns on December 15. The Phoenix trailed by six points with only 11 seconds remaining before Roberson hit consecutive three-pointers to force overtime. Roberson (32 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) then continued his run during the extra period as South East Melbourne completed an extraordinary 112-105 victory, with Creek (25 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) and Gibson (25 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) providing support. Roberson scored 21 of South East Melbourne’s final 23 points, including 15 points in overtime, setting an NBL record for points scored during an overtime period.
Roberson delivered another huge scoring performance against New Zealand on January 5, making six three-pointers and finishing with 31 points, 8 assists, and 1 steal. Pineau (17 points, 20 rebounds, and 1 block) and Wesley (14 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) also produced strong performances, but Tom Abercrombie (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Breakers to a 97-92 victory.
Benson (5.8 points and 3.9 rebounds across 16 games) had been South East Melbourne’s third import at the beginning of the season before Devondrick Walker (7.4 points across 8 games) joined the Phoenix midway through the campaign, making his NBL debut against Perth on January 17. This meant the Phoenix underwent considerable import turnover during their inaugural season, with Crockett also having spent nine games on the roster while Wesley recovered from his hamstring injury.
South East Melbourne remained one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams, with Roberson and Creek (20.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals) carrying much of the scoring load. Madgen (12.1 points and 4.8 rebounds across 28 games), Wesley (10.7 points and 4.3 rebounds across 18 games), Adnam (9.1 points across 28 games) and Pineau (8.1 points and 8.7 rebounds across 28 games) provided support, and the Phoenix finished the season leading the NBL in scoring at 95.4 points per game. However, after reaching 6-6, South East Melbourne managed only three wins from its final 16 games and entered the last round on a seven-game losing streak.
South East Melbourne ended its inaugural season against Melbourne United on February 16, where Roberson (13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) played his 28th consecutive game but the Phoenix were beaten 109-90. Madgen (23 points and 4 rebounds) and Wesley (20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led South East Melbourne, while Chris Goulding (28 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) was United’s leading scorer. The defeat extended the Phoenix’s losing streak to eight games and left them second last on the ladder with a 9-19 record.
John Roberson played one season in the NBL. He averaged 20.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 28 NBL games.
CAREER RANKINGS:
– 41st in assists per game.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 31 | South East Melbourne | 9-19 (8) | 28 | 841.3 | 565 | 63 | 156 | 8 | 55 | 23 | 1 | 65 | 71 | 190 | 411 | 46% | 112 | 257 | 44% | 73 | 79 | 92% | 63% | 60% | 32 | Totals | 28 | 841 | 565 | 63 | 156 | 8 | 55 | 23 | 1 | 65 | 71 | 190 | 411 | 46.2% | 112 | 257 | 43.6% | 73 | 79 | 92.4% | 63% | 60% | 32 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 31 | South East Melbourne | 9-19 (8) | 28 | 30.0 | 20.2 | 2.3 | 5.6 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 6.8 | 14.7 | 46% | 4.0 | 9.2 | 44% | 2.6 | 2.8 | 92% | 63% | 60% | 32 | Total | 28 | 30.0 | 20.2 | 2.3 | 5.6 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 6.8 | 14.7 | 46.2% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 43.6% | 4.0 | 9.2 | 92.4% | 63% | 60% | 32 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 32 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Slovenia - Zlatorog Laško (2011) | Ecuador - Comunikt (2012) | Switzerland - BBC Monthey (2012) | Sweden - Södertälje Kings (2012–2014), Södertälje Kings (2014–2015) | Hungary - Atomerőmű SE (2014) | France - Élan Chalon (2015–2017), ASVEL (2017–2018), SIG Strasbourg (2021–2022), Hyères-Toulon Var Basket (2025–present) | Russia - Enisey (2018–2019) | Turkey - Galatasaray (2020), Manisa BB (2022–2024), Esenler Erokspor (2025) | Spain - CB Estudiantes (2020–2021) | Egypt - Al Ahly (2024–2025)
Roberson joined Zlatorog Laško for the 2011–12 Slovenian League and ABA League season, playing his first season in Slovenia, and averaged 4.7 points, 0.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists across nine games.
Roberson joined Comunikt for the 2012 Ecuador National League season and averaged 23 points and eight assists while earning All-Star Team selection and winning the three-point shooting contest.
Roberson moved to BBC Monthey for the 2012–13 Swiss LNA season and averaged 17.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists across three games.
Roberson joined Södertälje Kings during the 2012–13 Swedish Basketligan season and averaged 13.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 37 league games as Södertälje won the Swedish championship and he was named Basketligan Finals MVP.
Roberson remained with Södertälje Kings for the 2013–14 Swedish Basketligan season and averaged 17.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists across all competitions as the club won another Swedish championship.
Roberson joined Atomerőmű SE for the 2014–15 Hungarian season after signing in July 2014 and averaged 9.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists across four EuroChallenge games.
Roberson returned to Södertälje Kings in December 2014 for the 2014–15 Swedish Basketligan season and helped the club win a third straight Swedish championship while earning Basketligan MVP and Basketligan Finals MVP honours.
In June 2015, Roberson signed with Élan Chalon. After his first season, Roberson extended his contract until 2017.
Roberson played for Élan Chalon during the 2015–16 French Pro A and FIBA Europe Cup season, averaging 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 19 FIBA Europe Cup games.
Roberson remained with Élan Chalon for the 2016–17 French Pro A season, where he averaged 16.1 points and 6.6 assists in 44 French league games and 17.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 20 FIBA Europe Cup games.
On March 8, 2017, Roberson set a new FIBA Europe Cup scoring record with 39 points in a 87–85 loss against Cibona.
Roberson also set the league record for most three-point field goals in a game, with 10 three-point field goals.
With Chalon he won the French League 2016/17 season championship.On June 27, 2017, Roberson signed a two-year contract with the French team ASVEL.Originally from Plano, Texas.
Roberson joined ASVEL for the 2017–18 French Pro A and EuroCup season and averaged 16.0 points and 4.0 assists in 16 EuroCup games while earning EuroCup Round 7 and Round 10 MVP honours.
Roberson set a EuroCup record with 11 three-pointers against Gran Canaria on December 27, 2017 and finished the game with 42 points.
Spent the 2018/19 season with Russian club Enisey, where he averaged 14.5 points, 5.5 assists and shot 55% FG, 43% 3PT FG and 95% FT.
Roberson signed with Galatasaray on February 5, 2020 for the Turkish Basketball Super League season and averaged 10.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists in four league games.
Roberson joined CB Estudiantes for the 2020–21 Spanish Liga ACB season after signing on July 14, 2020 and averaged 11.2 points, 1.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 31 league games.
Roberson signed with SIG Strasbourg on August 20, 2021 for the 2021–22 French Betclic Élite and Basketball Champions League season, averaging 15.4 points and 4.5 assists in French league play and 17.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in eight Basketball Champions League games.
Roberson joined Manisa BB for the 2022–23 Turkish Basketball Super League season after signing on June 30, 2022 and averaged 16.7 points and 3.5 assists per game.
Roberson remained with Manisa BB for the 2023–24 Turkish Basketball Super League and FIBA Europe Cup season and averaged 15 points and four assists in Turkish league play while adding 11.2 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists in five FIBA Europe Cup games.
Roberson joined Al Ahly for the 2024–25 Egyptian Basketball Premier League season after signing a one-season contract on September 24, 2024 and averaged 16 points and five assists while winning the Egyptian Cup.
Roberson joined Esenler Erokspor in January 2025 for the Turkish second division season and averaged 18 points and five assists as the club won the championship.
Roberson joined Hyères-Toulon Var Basket in October 2025 on a short-term medical replacement contract for the French Pro B season and averaged 17.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 50.2% from the field, 49.5% from three and 93.2% from the free-throw line.
Has played throughout Europe since 2011 with stops in Slovenia, Switzerland, Hungary, Sweden and France, where he won a championship with ASVEL in 2017.
COLLEGE
John Roberson attended Texas Tech University from 2007–08 through 2010–11, finishing as one of the most productive guards in program history with 1,772 career points (seventh all-time at Texas Tech) and a school-record 636 career assists, making him the Red Raiders’ all-time assist leader.
Roberson played four seasons in Lubbock and produced year-over-year as a primary ball-handler and high-volume perimeter scorer, averaging 12.3 points per game as a freshman in 2007–08, 13.9 as a sophomore in 2008–09, 14.5 as a junior in 2009–10, and 14.1 as a senior in 2010–11, while logging heavy minutes each year and operating as Texas Tech’s lead creator for long stretches of his career.
As a freshman in 2007–08, Roberson played in all 31 games with 25 starts, led the team with 101 assists, scored 20+ points seven times, and had a season-best 28 points against Northwestern State on 9-of-12 shooting while also earning Big 12 Rookie of the Week honours in back-to-back weeks after a 28-point performance and a separate 21-point outing.
In 2008–09, Roberson started every game and became one of the Big 12’s most active distributors, leading Texas Tech with 13.9 points per game while setting the school’s then single-season assists standard with 212 assists, a total that remains one of the top single-season marks in program history, and he posted a major all-around highlight at Texas A&M with 20 points and 13 assists, which sits among Texas Tech’s top single-game assist performances.
That sophomore season also included several statistical benchmarks that stuck in the record book, including a team-leading 13.9 scoring average, a Big 12-leading assist rate noted by the program, 71 made three-pointers (one of the best single-season totals in school history at the time), and a career-high 33-point game at UTEP, placing him among the limited group of Red Raiders to score 30+ in a game.
As a junior in 2009–10, Roberson started every game again and produced 14.5 points per game with 190 assists, became the first Texas Tech player to reach 500 career assists (as tracked by the program), joined the school’s 1,000-point club during the season, recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists in a win at TCU, and finished the year with All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition.
One of Roberson’s most notable single-game stretches came early in that junior season when he scored 25 points against Washington, went a career-best 13-for-13 at the free-throw line in that overtime win, and added seven assists and two steals, a performance that was also recognised with a Big 12 weekly honour.
In his 2010–11 senior season, Roberson continued to operate as Texas Tech’s lead guard while averaging 14.1 points per game and shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range, and he delivered a major conference performance in January 2011 with 25 points and seven made three-pointers against Nebraska.
Across his Texas Tech career from 2007–2011, Roberson’s production showed up across multiple record categories, including his school-record 636 assists and his 1,772 points ranking seventh all-time at Texas Tech, with his long-term consistency reflected in the fact he started virtually every game of his four-year run.
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