Isaiah Roby

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Isaiah Roby

| image = 2024-11-09 ALBA Berlin gegen ratiopharm Ulm (Basketball-Bundesliga 2024-25) by Sandro Halank–011.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Roby with Ulm in 2024

| position = Power forward

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 8

| weight_lbs = 230

| league = BBL

| team = ratiopharm Ulm

| number = 15

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|2|3}}

| birth_place = Dixon, Illinois, U.S.

| high_school = Dixon (Dixon, Illinois)

| college = Nebraska (2016–2019)

| draft_year = 2019

| draft_round = 2

| draft_pick = 45

| draft_team = Detroit Pistons

| career_start = 2019

| years1 = 2019–2020

| team1 = Texas Legends

| years2 = {{nbay|2019|end}}–{{nbay|2021|end}}

| team2 = Oklahoma City Thunder

| years3 = 2020–2022

| team3 = →Oklahoma City Blue

| years4 = {{nbay|2022|full=y}}

| team4 = San Antonio Spurs

| years5 = 2023–2024

| team5 = Westchester Knicks

| years6 = 2024–present

| team6 = ratiopharm Ulm

| highlights =

NBA G League Showcase Cup champion (2023)

}}

Isaiah Owen Roby (born February 3, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL). He played college basketball for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

High school career

Roby attended Dixon High School in Dixon, Illinois.{{cite web |title=Isaiah Roby |url=https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/season/2018-19/player/isaiah-roby |publisher=Nebraska Athletics |access-date=May 31, 2019 }} He joined a team that finished its previous season with a 1–28 record, but in his final three years at Dixon, he led the team to a combined 76–13 record.{{cite web |last1=Barfknecht |first1=Lee |title=Newcomers, including Isaiah Roby and Jeriah Horne, don't blink at the thought of changing the Huskers' fortunes |url=https://www.omaha.com/huskers/mens-basketball/newcomers-including-isaiah-roby-and-jeriah-horne-don-t-blink/article_983cce1e-0e1e-5a6c-adb4-e768fe110794.html |website=Omaha World-Herald |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=November 3, 2016}} In his junior season, Roby averaged 12.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 3.7 blocks per game, earning second-team all-state Class 3A honors.{{cite web |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Brian |title=Men's basketball: Top 100 recruit Roby signs with Huskers |url=https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/mens-basketball/men-s-basketball-top-recruit-roby-signs-with-huskers/article_05f94526-b3cd-5231-91bb-5c7710d8c02b.html |website=Lincoln Journal Star |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=November 12, 2015}} As a senior, he averaged 19.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.9 blocks per game. Roby finished eighth in Illinois Mr. Basketball voting and was named second-team all-state by the Chicago Sun-Times.{{cite web |last1=Washut |first1=Robin |title=Huskers eagerly awaiting freshman Roby's debut |url=https://nebraska.rivals.com/news/huskers-eagerly-awaiting-freshman-roby-s-debut/printable |publisher=Rivals.com |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=October 4, 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Barfknecht |first1=Lee |title=Nebraska without injured Anton Gill, Isaiah Roby to open basketball practice |url=https://www.omaha.com/huskers/mens-basketball/nebraska-without-injured-anton-gill-isaiah-roby-to-open-basketball/article_d642b4e8-8428-11e6-90fa-377bee5f4c0b.html |website=Omaha World-Herald |access-date=May 31, 2019 |date=September 16, 2016}} During his final 2 years of high school he played basketball against future NFL running back James Robinson, who attended rival school Rockford Lutheran. He left Dixon with the most career rebounds and blocks in school history and the second-most career points. Roby was rated a three-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports, and a four-star recruit by Rivals. On October 22, 2014, he committed to Nebraska.{{cite web |title=Isaiah Roby |url=http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/204110/isaiah-roby |publisher=ESPN |access-date=May 31, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Isaiah Roby, Dixon, Small Forward |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Isaiah-Roby-75324/high-school-128884/ |publisher=247Sports |access-date=May 31, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Isaiah Roby, 2016 Small forward |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2016/isaiah-roby-3098 |publisher=Rivals |access-date=May 31, 2019}}

College career

Roby entered his freshman season for Nebraska in 2016–17 with a pelvic stress reaction suffered in the offseason, delaying his college debut. He remarked, "It's probably the longest I sat out from basketball since I started playing basketball."{{cite web |last1=Basnett |first1=Chris |title=Husker freshman Roby hoping he's past the 'rough' part |url=https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/mens-basketball/husker-freshman-roby-hoping-he-s-past-the-rough-part/article_a0dd3b06-dbfb-5f6c-b5f2-cc8767ca4b37.html |website=Lincoln Journal Star |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=October 26, 2016}} In 30 games, Roby made four starts and averaged 3.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, while recording 25 blocks, the fifth-most by a Nebraska freshman. He increased his weight from {{convert|185|lbs|kg|0}} to {{convert|220|lbs|kg|0}} in his first year in college.{{cite web |last1=Barfknecht |first1=Lee |title=Husker sophomore Isaiah Roby gets to work in weight room, seeks a breakout year on the court |url=https://www.omaha.com/huskers/mens-basketball/husker-sophomore-isaiah-roby-gets-to-work-in-weight-room/article_3c328c58-cc4c-5af5-b21a-610d8c667895.html |website=Omaha World-Herald |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=July 19, 2017}} As a sophomore, Roby averaged 8.7 points and team-highs of 6.3 rebounds and two blocks per game. He also led his team in field goal percentage, shooting 57 percent, and compiled 63 blocks, the most by a Nebraska player since 2001.{{cite web |last1=Hardesty |first1=Matt |title=Isaiah Roby growing into his role at Nebraska |url=http://www.dailynebraskan.com/issues/isaiah-roby-growing-into-his-role-at-nebraska/article_eea73a66-e0a8-11e8-bc4b-27de37292d61.html |website=The Daily Nebraskan |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=November 5, 2018}} In his junior season, Roby started in all 35 games, averaging 11.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.{{cite web |title=Isaiah Roby Player Profile |url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Isaiah-Roby/Summary/86028 |publisher=RealGM |access-date=June 1, 2019}} He led Nebraska to an unexpected run in the 2019 Big Ten Tournament.{{cite web |last1=Heady |first1=Chris |title=Nebraska's Isaiah Roby opts to stay in NBA draft. 'I think I left PBA the right way' |url=https://www.omaha.com/huskers/mens-basketball/nebraska-s-isaiah-roby-opts-to-stay-in-nba-draft/article_a3348ca8-a048-5cf4-b8fa-ffe01e35c9ee.html |website=Omaha World-Herald |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=May 29, 2019}}

On March 30, 2019, Roby declared for the 2019 NBA draft without hiring an agent.{{cite web |last1=Heady |first1=Chris |title=Nebraska forward Isaiah Roby enters NBA draft, keeping options open |url=https://www.omaha.com/huskers/mens-basketball/nebraska-forward-isaiah-roby-enters-nba-draft-keeping-options-open/article_ad8d83f0-971f-59b4-a277-e2dc9fc82656.html |access-date=June 1, 2019 |date=March 30, 2019}}

Professional career

=Texas Legends (2019–2020)=

Roby was drafted 45th by the Detroit Pistons and traded to the Dallas Mavericks.{{cite web|title=NBA draft: Mavericks expected to swing deal and end up with Nebraska's Isaiah Roby|url=https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-select-deividas-sirvydis-with-37th-pick-of-nba-draft-but-he-might-not-stick-around/|access-date=June 20, 2019|date=June 20, 2019}}{{Cite web|title=Mavericks acquire draft rights to Isaiah Roby and future second round picks|url=https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-acquire-draft-rights-to-isaiah-roby-and-future-second-round-picks/|work=Mavs.com|date=June 26, 2019|access-date=June 26, 2019}} On August 7, 2019, Roby officially signed with the Mavericks.{{cite web |title=Mavericks sign forward Isaiah Roby |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-sign-isaiah-roby/ |website=mavs.com |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808135754/https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-sign-isaiah-roby/ |archive-date=August 8, 2019 |url-status=dead }} The Mavericks assigned him to the Texas Legends for the start of the NBA G League season.{{cite web |last1=Judkins |first1=Kyle |title=Mavericks Assign Isaiah Roby to Texas Legends |url=https://texas.gleague.nba.com/news/mavericks-assign-isaiah-roby-to-texas-legends/ |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=December 9, 2019 |date=October 28, 2019}} He suffered from plantar fasciitis, which caused him to miss several games for the Legends.{{cite news |title=Mavericks' Isaiah Roby: Dealing with plantar fasciitis |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/mavericks-isaiah-roby-dealing-with-plantar-fasciitis/ |access-date=January 12, 2020 |work=CBS Sports |date=January 2, 2020}}

=Oklahoma City Thunder (2020–2022)=

On January 24, 2020, Roby was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder by the Mavericks in exchange for Justin Patton and cash considerations. He did not appear in a game during his time with the Mavericks.{{cite news |title=Mavericks deal Roby to OKC, reportedly eyeing Warriors' Cauley-Stein|url=https://www.mavs.com/cauley-stein-to-the-mavs/|access-date=January 12, 2020 |work=CBS Sports |date=January 24, 2020}} He made his NBA debut with a brief appearance for the Thunder in January 2020. He was then assigned shortly thereafter to the Oklahoma City Blue, returning to the main Thunder roster for only a single day before being sent back to the Blue.

On December 29, 2020, Roby scored a season-high 19 points, alongside seven rebounds and two blocks, in a 107–118 loss to the Orlando Magic.{{Cite web |title=VUCEVIC HAS DOUBLE-DOUBLE AS MAGIC BEAT THUNDER 118-107 |url=https://www.nba.com/game/0022000052 |access-date=February 5, 2023 |website=NBA.com}}

On March 28, 2022, Roby scored a career-high 30 points, alongside eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, in a 134–131 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.{{Cite web |title=ROBY SCORES 30 AS THUNDER DOWN BLAZERS 134-131 IN OT |url=https://www.nba.com/game/0022101130 |access-date=February 5, 2023 |website=NBA.com}} On July 3, Roby was waived by the Thunder.{{Cite web |title=Thunder waive forward Isaiah Roby, who will draw interest around league |url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/07/03/thunder-waive-forward-isaiah-roby-who-will-draw-interest-around-league/ |access-date=July 4, 2022 |website=NBC Sports}}

=San Antonio Spurs (2022–2023)=

On July 5, 2022, Roby was claimed off waivers by the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web|author=saslpederson|title=SPURS CLAIM ISAIAH ROBY|url=https://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spurs-claim-isaiah-roby|website=NBA.com|date=July 5, 2022|access-date=July 5, 2022}} He made his Spurs debut on October 19, recording five points and two rebounds in a 102–129 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.{{cite web|first=Raul|last=Dominguez|title=ROZIER SCORES 24 AS HORNETS ROUT YOUTHFUL SPURS, 129-102|url=https://www.nba.com/game/0022200011|website=NBA.com|date=October 19, 2022|access-date=February 5, 2023}} On March 3, 2023, Roby was waived by the Spurs.{{cite tweet|first=Tom|last=Orsborn|title=Spurs announce they have claimed F Sandro Mamukelashvili off waivers and converted his deal to a standard NBA contract. In addition, they've waived F Isaiah Roby. The roster stands at 17 players.|number=1631785119693299714|user=tom_orsborn|date=March 3, 2023|access-date=March 3, 2023}}

=Westchester Knicks (2023–2024)=

On April 9, 2023, Roby signed with the New York Knicks,{{cite web|title=Knicks Sign Isaiah Roby|url=https://www.nba.com/knicks/news/knicks-sign-isaiah-roby|website=NBA.com|date=April 9, 2023|access-date=April 9, 2023}} but was waived on October 18 without playing for the Knicks.{{cite tweet|author=NY_KnicksPR|title=Knicks waive Jaylen Martin and Isaiah Roby.|number=1714756011657957537|user=NY_KnicksPR|date=October 18, 2023|access-date=October 20, 2023}} Three days later, he re-signed with New York,{{cite tweet|author=NY_KnicksPR|title=Knicks sign Isaiah Roby|number=1715739890082550174|user=NY_KnicksPR|date=October 21, 2023|access-date=October 22, 2023}} but was again waived that day.{{cite tweet|author=NY_KnicksPR|title=Knicks waive Mamadi Diakite, Brandon Goodwin, Isaiah Roby and Duane Washington Jr.|number=1715832489313182178|user=NY_KnicksPR|date=October 21, 2023|access-date=October 22, 2023}} On November 9, Roby was named to the opening night roster for the Westchester Knicks.{{cite web|title=Westchester Knicks Announce 2023-24 Official Roster|url=https://westchester.gleague.nba.com/news/westchester-knicks-announce-2023-24-official-roster|website=NBA.com|date=November 9, 2023|access-date=December 3, 2023}}

=ratiopharm Ulm (2024–present)=

On July 19, 2024, Roby signed with ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga.{{cite web|title=Viel Talent auf der Position 4|url=https://ratiopharmulm.com/news/viel-talent-auf-der-position-4-2152/|website=ratiopharmUlm.com|date=July 19, 2024|access-date=July 19, 2024|language=German}}