CU legend has never lost sight of his dream

It’s been quite the road for Colorado Men’s Basketball (co)all-time leading scorer, Richard Roby, since leaving CU.

“I played my first two years in Israel, then I went and played in the D-League one year, then I played in Greece,” he said before pausing to think for a second. “Then France, then I played in Korea, and the last two years I’ve been in Japan…

Quite the road indee…

“Oh, and I had some short stints in other countries as well, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico,” Roby snuck in before I could ask my next question.

That’s 10 countries, 4 continents and each of the Nothern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Hemispheres.

“It’s definitely eye opening, experiencing different cultures and countries, playing different styles of basketball…In Europe they really like to control the game, the coaches like to control everything and they really like moving the ball around a bunch and waiting for the best shot. As far as Asia, things are a little more uptempo, they really want to run-and-gun and mold their game like the game in America. All in all it’s definitely been a good experience for me and my family.”

But whether he’s lacing ‘em up for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, or the Akita Northern Happinets, Roby has always had the same goal.

“I’ve never lost touch with [my dream of playing in the NBA], I’m just preparing myself the best way I know how so I can give it one more shot. I’m going to give it one more shot, that’s been my goal, so I’ve been preparing myself to give it one more push, and hopefully in the next year or so I get that one shot.”

The one-time Buffaloes star draws inspiration from one of his former teammates, Chris Copeland, who spent many years bouncing around before finally catching on in the NBA.

“Just knowing ‘Cope’ and knowing his story definitely is motivational for me,” said Roby. “When you get that opportunity you just have to be ready, and that’s what happened for him.”

That opportunity can come in many shapes and sizes, whether it’s an invite to play on a NBA summer league team, or simply just a chance to play on American soil again.

Enter Beau Gamble and “The Basketball Tournament.”

“Beau facebooked me, and just told me about The Tournament, and at first I didn’t really understand it so I said no,” admitted Roby. “I wanted to rest for the summer, It’s a long season over in Japan, but he kept on me.”

“I looked it up some more, Beau said he wanted to get guys back to CU and told me who was already playing,” he added. “I finally thought it would be a very good experience to get to see those guys again and get a chance to play. it’s kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity to play competitively with your college teammates again.”

Heading back to Boulder was a big part of Roby’s decision to join the team, the former big man on campus hasn’t been in Boulder since he graduated in 2008.

“I haven’t been back since I left, man,” he said with a tone that suggested he’s disappointed in that. “But I am going to be there in a couple weeks, so I’m definitely looking forward to that.

“I’m going to go down there and play a little bit with the team, meet with my old scholarship sponsor, Steve Tebo,” said Roby of his plans. “It’s just going to be a great chance to see the campus again, talk to the coaching staff, and basically show my face, reminisce a little bit.”

Roby started his reminiscing when I asked him which player he most looked forward to playing with on the Colorado team.

“Probably Marcus Hall,” he said. “We played so many games together, and had success together, so thats going to be very interesting to see if we still have that chemistry now that we’re older and have more experience.”

He believes chemistry will be the key to the entire tournament.

“Everything is going to depend on how well we gel as a team,” he explained. “Some of these teams have been playing with each other in like summer pro-ams and stuff so they have that chemistry, but we have enough weapons and enough firepower to win it.”

Win it or not, The Tournament is yet another opportunity for Roby to get his name in the minds of NBA front offices.

“Teams just hearing your name is always good, they remember you as a player, so teams will definitely take notice [if I have a big tournament],” he outlined. “But I’m not expecting it to happen just off of this tournament, I know the road to the NBA for a guy like me, just to even get into the conversation, it’s a tough road, but I’m definitely looking to prepare my mind and my body as well as I can for that reason.”

Roby and the Buffs have earned a first round bye in The Tournament due to fan votes, so they will play their first game on July 11th on the campus of Cal State University – Los Angeles.

Check back tomorrow for part two of our interview with Richard Roby, a Q&A that may have you laughing out loud.