BIO: Rolan Roberts was born in Baltimore, Maryland (USA).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Rolan Roberts made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 26 years of age. He scored eight points in his first game.

The 2004/05 season was a historic one for the Sydney Kings, as they became the first team in NBL history to win three consecutive championships.

Eight games into the season, Sydney made a significant roster change, releasing Thalo Green (5.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) due to a lingering virus that limited his performance. In his place, the Kings signed Rolan Roberts, a powerful forward who immediately strengthened the team’s interior presence and played a crucial role in their championship run.

Roberts averaged 16.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game across 23 appearances, providing the Kings with a dominant force in the paint. His athleticism, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability made him a key defensive anchor while also being a reliable low-post scoring option. Despite joining the team midseason, he quickly became an indispensable part of Sydney’s rotation.

Throughout the season, Roberts delivered several standout performances. On December 31 against Adelaide, he posted a dominant double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing his ability to control the boards and score efficiently inside. Just weeks later, on January 7 against Townsville, he had another strong outing with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks, proving his ability to impact both ends of the floor. One of his best performances came on March 13 in the Grand Final series against Wollongong, where he tallied 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks, helping the Kings secure the championship.

Twelve games into the season, rookie Luke Kendall (12.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.3 assists) suffered an ACL injury, causing him to miss the remainder of the season.

Under head coach Brian Goorjian, the Kings continued their dominance, finishing atop the regular season standings with a 21-11 record.

In the semifinals, Sydney swept the Brisbane Bullets, opening with a commanding 113-79 victory in Game 1, with Roberts contributing 16 points in a balanced team effort. The Kings then closed out the series in Game 2 (111-105), where he added 19 points and 9 rebounds, playing a crucial role in Sydney’s ability to control the paint and advance to the Grand Final.

The Grand Final series saw Sydney dominate the Illawarra Hawks in three straight games, completing one of the most commanding championship runs in NBL history.

In Game 1, Sydney secured a 96-73 victory, with Roberts providing a strong interior presence, contributing 16 points and 8 rebounds. The Kings continued their dominance in Game 2 with a 105-80 win, and while C.J. Bruton led the scoring with 26 points, Roberts made his impact felt with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block, further solidifying his importance to the team’s success.

Game 3 saw the Kings clinch the title with a 112-85 victory, with Roberts once again making a statement with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks. His relentless effort in the paint provided the Kings with a crucial edge, ensuring that they controlled the boards and defensive interior en route to their historic three-peat.

With their 3-0 Grand Final series win, the Kings cemented themselves as one of the greatest teams in NBL history, becoming the first team ever to complete a three-peat. Roberts’ presence in the paint, his rebounding ability, and his consistent scoring were instrumental in the Kings’ championship run.

Rolan Roberts played three seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Sydney Kings and the Townsville Crocodiles. He averaged 12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 76 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (836 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.