Stanley Roberts, one of Louisiana State University's 7-foot twin towers, has decided to pursue a professional basketball career after losing his academic eligibility, the school announced Thursday.
Roberts, who would have been a junior, was one of two players declared ineligible Thursday by LSU. Maurice Williamson, a junior from New Haven, Conn., and sometimes starter at guard, will try to improve his grades and rejoin the team in late December, LSU announced.Williamson, who had a shot at replacing two-time All-America Chris Jackson as starting point guard, played in 31 games and started 17 at guard last season. He averaged 12.2 points and 3.8 assists during 1989-90.
The Roberts announcement was a shocker. After losing Jackson after two seasons to the NBA draft, LSU was counting on Roberts and 7-footer Shaquille O'Neil to lead the Tigers in a successful 1990-91 effort.
Coach Dale Brown could not be reached for comment, but LSU issued a statement by Roberts, a Hopkins, S.C., native who averaged 14.1 points and 9.8 rebounds in his sophomore season.
"Because of recent developments, I am unable to continue my career at LSU and am today announcing publicly my intentions of securing a professional contract with a European team," said Roberts, who also was academically ineligible to compete as a freshman.
He said he had hired a Baton Rouge lawyer, Oscar L. Shoenfelt III, as his agent.
"I looked forward to representing LSU on the basketball court this year, but because of academic problems, I will be unable to do so. I had the opportunity to go hardship at the end of last season, but decided not to in order to play one more year for my parents, the fans, my teammates and coaches.
"I know this decision has hurt me financially, but I really wanted to play another year and looked forward to going to the national championship with LSU."