Feature: Roberts Morphs into ‘X-factor’ for Mastodons
Tom Davis
There could not have been two more magnified examples of the value that Purdue Fort Wayne fifth-year senior forward Anthony Roberts has provided to his team recently than how he demonstrated his worth in road wins at Green Bay and Wright State.
The 6-foot-4 Chicago native scored a career-best 31 points in the 85-59 win over the Phoenix, and against the Raiders, he simply made the game-sealing play with a block of Wright State’s shot attempt with five seconds remaining to lift the Mastodons to a 79-77 overtime win.
“He is our X-factor,” 10th-year Purdue Fort Wayne coach Jon Coffman said of Roberts.
Roberts will be recognized on Saturday before his final game at the Gates Sports Center, as the Mastodons (19-11, 10-9) host Robert Morris (10-20, 6-13) at 7 p.m. following the women’s basketball game against Youngstown State at 3 p.m.
Coffman had hopes for Roberts when he was recruiting him out of NCAA Division II St. Cloud State two seasons ago, and Roberts has not disappointed.
“We needed an older body who could play right away,” Coffman explained.
The Mastodons had just graduated Jalon Pipkins and Coffman envisioned Roberts being a physical scorer off the bounce to blend in with his shooters.
“We wanted to plug him into that role of a bigger wing, who is an athletic, downhill driver,” Coffman said.
Anthony Roberts on the beautiful feed from Rasheed Bello!#FeelTheRumble #HLMBB pic.twitter.com/2L4gBwhlLG
— Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons Basketball (@MastodonMBB) December 31, 2023
Roberts has filled that task but added so much more.
Roberts is shooting 45.9 percent overall and has buried 26 3-pointers, including five against Green Bay.
He connects on 80 percent of his free throws, is second in rebounds (5.8) and blocks (23), and is just two minutes behind junior guard Rasheed Bello for the most on the squad.
“We can’t take him off of the floor,” Coffman said.
The Horizon League is filled with talented forwards, and Coffman has utilized the 220-pound Roberts to minimize those scoring threats. That was evident against Wright State midway through the second half.
Raider forward Tanner Holden had scored eight consecutive points, as the Mastodons were trailing, as well as struggling to contain him, while Roberts took a breather on the bench.
Coffman reinserted Roberts back into the lineup and Holden made one shot over the final 16-plus minutes of action.
“Anthony is so physical and so strong,” Coffman said, “even though he is 6-4, he plays like he is 6-7. He can defend in the post. He can defend on the perimeter. He is our X-factor coming down the stretch for our tournament run.”
Roberts’ 13.3 points per game ranks 17th in the Horizon League and he is tied with Bello for the league lead in steals (56).
“He has played so well,” Coffman continued. “He does such a great job of defending without fouling. He is able to stay on the floor for us and create matchup issues at the 3-4 (spot) for us.
“He’s been huge.”
Roberts also transitioned well into being a Mastodon.
He came to Fort Wayne two years ago and joined a veteran team that needed him to be a valued reserve, and Roberts did that.
He played 17 minutes per game over 32 games and shot a scorching 53 percent from the floor.
Off the court, Roberts has a mind for business and already operates his own clothing line.
“He was really excited about our Community Mentor program and our Life Skills program,” Coffman said of Roberts’ decision to play at Purdue Fort Wayne. “One of the most attractive things about Anthony is that he just wanted to fit in.
“He is a great team guy.”