June 29, 2007

BY Kevin Hageland Staff Writer / Plano Star

Plano – Before Plano graduate John Roberson heads off to Texas Tech, Metroplex fans will have another chance to see the reigning Mr. Basketball as he takes part in the 2007 Global Games.

Roberson will be a part of the Global Games All-America Team, which is made up of 19-and-under high school graduates who are heading to college this fall. Roberson said he was asked to participate in the Global Games, which run from July 1-7 at SMU’s Moody Coliseum, a month ago.

And while the event is meant to be a showcase for some of the top basketball players in the country, it will also serve as an opportunity for Roberson to spend time with fellow Texas Tech signees D’Walyn Roberts and Mike Singletary, who are also part of the All-America squad.

“I’ve played with Mike before at an all-star game, but never with D’Walyn, so I am really excited about this opportunity,” Roberson said. “Hopefully we can use this time as an opportunity to develop some chemistry before the season starts.”

But aside from Roberts and Singletary, Roberson will see several other players that are likely to be a part of his collegiate experience as his squad is made up of six other players from Big 12 schools. Texas, Texas A&M, Kansas and Oklahoma State will each have at least one representative on the All-America team.

“I did see that there were a lot of Big 12 players on the list, but we’re all teammates right now,” Roberson said. “I will be watching each of them closely though, to see how they play.”

In addition to sizing up his soon-to-be college competition, there will be multiple NBA scouts in attendance sizing up Roberson and the rest of the players at the Global Games. And with the 2007 NBA Draft just having been completed, Roberson said he hopes he can be a part of that event in a few years.

According to his coach for the last two seasons, that is certainly a possibility.

“I honestly think John will be a pro,” said Tom Inman, Plano head coach. “What he does on the court is so unique, and he does it so well at such a young age. At the age of 18, John can control a game.”

Roberson will have an opportunity to show off his skills this week, as his team opens play 6 p.m. Thursday against Senegal in an exhibition matchup. The All-America Team, which begins practice today, will be involved in Pool B play Friday as they face the Junior College Team 2 p.m. Friday and Argentina at 8 p.m. Friday.

Each of those contests will be played at Moody Coliseum with tickets costing $3 per game. The bronze and gold medal games are set to take place Saturday.

“I think it’s really cool that John got selected for this event, and it should be a lot of fun,” Inman said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing him play with D’Walyn and Mike.”

In addition to the pool play and exhibitions that are scheduled, the Global Games will feature special attractions Sunday and Tuesday. Sunday’s clash will be the China National Team versus Team USA, while Tuesday’s game will see the China National Team take on the Dallas Mavericks Summer League Team.

Yao Ming, a 2002 Global Games alumni, is scheduled to attend the Chinese National games, while the Mavericks squad will feature DeSagana Diop, Pops Mensa-Bonsu, J. J. Barea, and Maurice Ager, along with the club’s newest draft picks.

Roberson’s dreams of a pro career could be enhanced by taking part in the Global Games as former participants in the event include current NBA players Ming, Darko Milicic, Deron Williams, Chris Bosh, and Ike Diogu.

But the former Wildcat doesn’t seem fazed by that type of pressure.

“I’m just going to go out there and play my game,” he said. “I am going to do what I do, and that is try to get everyone involved.”

After a two-year career at Plano, that included a state title in 2006, Metroplex fans will have a final opportunity to watch Roberson play before he heads to the collegiate level.

“John is about to go off to school and his life is going to change forever,” Inman said. “But Bob Knight is an awesome coach and I am really excited to see how John does at Tech.”