Last Updated on July 22, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Rick Roberson was a versatile forward who spent the majority of his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, earning a reputation as a dependable rebounder and steady two-way contributor. Although he never achieved superstar status, Roberson carved out a productive nine-season career through his consistency, toughness, and willingness to do the game’s dirty work.

Here’s a detailed overview of Rick Roberson, a former NBA player:

  • Full Name: Rick Roberson
  • Nationality: American
  • DOB: Born: July 7, 1947. Died: May 3, 2020 (aged 72)
  • Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters)
  • Weight: 231 pounds (105 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
  • Jersey Number: Wore 35 during his career.
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Mitchell High School in Memphis, Tennessee.
  • College: University of Cincinnati (1966–1969)
  • NBA Draft:
  • 1969 NBA Draft
    • 1st Round, 15th Overall Pick by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Los Angeles Lakers (1969–1971)
    2. Cleveland Cavaliers (1971–1974)
    3. Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1975)
    4. New Orleans Jazz (1975–1977)
    5. Kansas City Kings (1977–1978)
  • Championship Rings: 0 NBA Championship rings.
  • Accolades:
    • Rick Roberson was known for his physical play, rebounding, and defensive ability.
    • Throughout his career, he was often a key reserve or role player, especially valued for his rebounding prowess.
    • In his best season (1971–1972), Roberson averaged 11.7 points and 13 rebounds per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
  • Kids: Not widely documented in public records.
  • Siblings: Information about his siblings is not widely documented.

Rick Roberson’s player archetype was an athletic two-way forward whose value came from rebounding, defensive versatility, and complementary scoring. Equipped with a strong, agile frame and good mobility, he defended multiple frontcourt positions, battled effectively on the glass, and brought consistent energy as a physical interior presence. Offensively, Roberson played within the flow of the game, finishing around the basket, scoring on cuts and putbacks, and capitalizing on transition opportunities without demanding high usage. His combination of toughness, athleticism, and willingness to do the smaller jobs made him a dependable contributor throughout his NBA career.

Scouting Report

Rick Roberson’s game was built around timing more than touches. He wasn’t a forward who needed designed actions to feel involved because he found his offense by reading where the next opening would appear, slipping behind ball-watchers for offensive rebounds, diving from the weak side when defenders stepped toward the ball, and keeping possessions alive through sheer persistence around the rim. What stands out is how rarely he forced difficult shots. Most of his scoring came from put-backs, short hooks, quick drop-steps after establishing deep position, or finishes created by running the floor before opposing bigs were organized. The trade-off was that he wasn’t someone you could consistently throw the ball to on the block and expect him to create offense against a loaded defense, nor was he a frontcourt playmaker capable of dissecting double teams with advanced passing. Defensively, his value came from doing the unspectacular work correctly. He fought for rebounding position before the shot went up, stayed connected to physical forwards, and rotated into the lane early enough to contest without chasing blocks that pulled him out of the play. It’s easy to overlook how much stability that provides over the course of a game because the biggest contribution often comes from ending possessions cleanly with a secure rebound rather than a highlight. Put him alongside a creative backcourt that consistently collapses the defense, and his knack for occupying the dunker spot, screening, crashing the glass, and cleaning up second-chance opportunities becomes much more valuable than asking him to manufacture points on his own. To me, his game shared traits with Udonis Haslem’s willingness to embrace physical interior work, while his rebounding instincts and complementary offensive style also resemble Paul Silas. Roberson wasn’t trying to dominate possessions. He understood that controlling the margins—winning the rebounding battle, creating an extra possession, sealing a defender at exactly the right moment—could quietly tilt a game just as effectively as scoring in volume.