The names of the former University of Houston players who guided and influenced J’wan Roberts as a youngster seem to roll off his tongue almost in cadence.
DeJon Jarreau, Justin Gorham, Fabian White, and the list goes on.
“From my freshman year, I’ve learned a lot. From DeJon, Justin, Fabian, and all the guys who came before. They took me under their wings,” Roberts said in a recent conversation with the Defender. “Now in Year 6, I just have to carry the throne until I can’t carry it anymore.”
It’s a crown Roberts doesn’t wear lightly or easily.
As a natural lead-by-example player, the 6-foot-8 power forward would much rather let his play on the court do most of the talking to his teammates and opponents. But Roberts, a third-year starter, is embracing his expanded role as the leader of the fourth-ranked Cougars with Jamal Shead now off to the NBA.
It’s something coach Kelvin Sampson put forth to Roberts, who has long been a leader and enforcer for the Cougars in the paint.
“My role has changed to more of a leader perspective,” said Roberts, who is a product of Shoemaker High School in Killeen. “Coming in I was always the little brother. Now I feel like I’m the big brother, especially with the freshmen coming in and the transfers. I feel like it’s my job to lead by example, even if I’m not as vocal as I’m supposed to be.
“Leading by example and playing tough shows them the culture of Houston basketball and getting them to buy into the culture.”
Sampson, known for reaching inside of his players to get the most out of them, knew exactly what he was doing when he insisted Roberts transition into the Cougars’ unquestioned leader this season.
It just made sense because the soft-spoken Roberts had learned from some of the best to come through the program. He has been in the system the longest and understands all that Sampson demands.
Jamal (Shead)was a great leader and I just feel like I’ve got to fill his shoes up and get people to the right spots. Like I said, adversity is going to hit in a lot of people take adversity different. I just feel like my job as a leader is to keep everybody (focused) and just try to be the head of the snake now.
J’Wan Roberts
“So he has gone from there to now he is an elder statesman,” said Sampson, whose team opens the season on Nov. 4 against Jackson State. “He has commanded respect. The way he does everything is done the way I would want it done. That doesn’t mean I don’t have to get on him occasionally about little things.
“J’wan has evolved into a winner, a leader, someone coaches and players have great respect for in this program. I have a ton of respect and love for that kid.”
Roberts returns the love to his coach, teammates, and what it means to be a Cougar. He has been part of a successful run that has returned UH to an elite program.
The Cougars return four starters, including L.J. Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, and Roberts, from a team that won the Big 12 regular season in its inaugural campaign and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Much of the same is expected this season of the Cougars, who come into the year with a preseason-top four ranking and are predicted to finish second to Kansas in the expanded Big 12.
Roberts, who averaged 9.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting nearly 60% from the floor last season, said the sustained and expected success is a testament to Sampson.
“I just think it’s the standard that Coach Sampson has built here,” Roberts said. “He always says we lose four starters every year, but that doesn’t change the culture he has brought in, that doesn’t change the intensity or anything.
“If you think you are going to come in and play a certain way, it doesn’t work like that. He has a standard that you have to play to every day. And if you don’t play to that standard, he is going to get you to that standard.”
Roberts is excited to see what the Cougars can do this season, especially with the return of guard Terrance Acreneaux and forward JoJo Tugler from injuries, along with the addition of Oklahoma transfer Milos Uzan.
“Having those guys back early is big,” said Roberts. “It kind of boosts our confidence, knowing that we have a bench that can get the team going when one of us comes out of the game. So, it’s a lot of excitement going into the season.
“There are some new teams coming into the Big 12 so there will be different gyms on the road, different adversities. I think that’s what college basketball is all about.”
About J’Wan Roberts
Position: Forward
Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 235 pounds
Class: Senior (Graduate student)
Age: 23
Accolades: All-Big 12 Third Team
