In the transfer portal era, there aren’t many one-jersey players left in college basketball, but J’Wan Roberts spent his entire six-year career in Houston Cougars red. The 6-foot-8 forward from Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands blossomed into a two-way star and the heart and soul of Kelvin Sampson’s program, but his storied career finally came to an end on Monday night with Houston’s 65-63 National Championship Game loss to Florida in San Antonio.
After an 11-point 12-rebound five-assist game in the Final Four victory over Duke with two crucial free throws late in the second half, Roberts was held in check by the Gators with just eight points on 3-13 shooting with eight rebounds and three blocks. However, even after coming up short in two final fours for a program with seven National Semifinal appearances and no national titles, his career is certainly defined by more than one game. Though it may be largely defined by his relationship with one man.
“Coach Sampson has been everything to me,” Roberts said with tears in his eyes in the postage press conference. “Everybody played a part in me being here for six years and I wanted it so bad for them. So, so, so bad for them.”
Roberts will end his career third all-time in program history in rebounds only trailing the legendary Elvin Hayes and Hakeem Olajuwon. Even without a championship, he has left an ineligible mark on a program that went dormant for many years before Sampson grabbed the reins in 2014.
“And it hurts,” Roberts continued. “Because I can’t do it next year. I can’t put myself in position to do it next year and I feel terrible.” Still, the super-senior leader had one last piece of advice for his teammates. “I told the younger guys, the returners, to remember this feeling, so that next time you’re in this position, you’ll be on top. And I feel like everything in life is a lesson.”
“I’m glad I played with LJ (Cryer), I’m glad I played with all of those guys, but coach Sampson, the role he played in my life, I can’t even put it into words.”
Sampson delivered his own life lessons after Houston’s win over Duke, a message about never quitting after a borderline unthinkable comeback. It’s so clear that those messages have all gotten through to Roberts, and maybe he has a future on the sidelines with his now-former head coach.