D-League Standout Will Play For Bucks Summer League Team

The Milwaukee Bucks are immersed in work for the upcoming NBA draft.

But they haven’t neglected other ways in which to improve their team.

The Bucks, who want to bolster their suspect reserve corps, have reached a verbal agreement with Ronald Roberts to play for their summer league team. Roberts, a 6-foot-8 forward, played last season for the Raptors 905, Toronto’s D-League affiliate, and had a monster season, averaging 18.1 points and 12.1 rebounds while being chosen to the D-League All-Star Game.

Roberts, 24, who played at Saint Joseph’s University, had his season cut short after suffering a right knee patellar tendon strain.

An undersized power forward, Roberts offsets his lack of height with exceptional quickness and determination. He does the bulk of his work around the basket and is extremely active on the offensive and defensive boards.

Several NBA teams have shown interest in Roberts.

“I love the guy,’’ said a coach, who saw Roberts play on several occasions last season. “He’s really athletic and he’s a high-energy guy. He plays so hard. He comes to play every night.’’

The one major flaw in Roberts’ game, the coach said, was his inconsistent shooting, especially from the perimeter.

“Right now, he just doesn’t shoot it well,’’ the coach said. “But if he develops a jump shot, he could be a really nice player and help some (NBA) team off the bench.’’

photo to courtesy of SJU Athletics/Sideline Photos, LLC