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Colorado forward Andre Roberson turns pro lowering expections for Buffs next season

Kyle Ringo

After waffling for several weeks, Colorado forward Andre Roberson finally made up his mind Sunday and decided to turn pro on the final day for underclassmen to declare for the 2013 NBA draft.

Roberson finished second in the nation in rebounding and was named the Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year this year averaging a double-double over the course of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds per game.

“We support Andre and want what’s best for him and his family,” coach Tad Boyle said in a story published on the school's website. “We wish him the best.”

Boyle had advised Roberson to stay in school and work on his perimeter shooting and ball handling. A evaluation of Roberson done by the NBA committee that advises underclassmen said Roberson would likely be a second-round pick.

Many saw the Buffaloes as a preseason top 20 team in 2013-14 with Roberson returning for his senior year. Now that Roberson won't be on the team, those expectations will drop, but the Buffs are still expected to be one of the top teams in the Pac-12. Early projections for the 2014 draft have Buffs' point guard Spencer Dinwiddie as a possible lottery pick.

Roberson led the Buffs in rebounding, steals and blocked shots in all three seasons in the program. He also played a big role in CU winning the 2012 Pac-12 tournament championship. He led the Buffs to three-straight 20-win seasons in three straight years and three consecutive postseason appearances.

Both are firsts for the school. Roberson's decision to leave CU means he will fall 10 rebounds short of the school record of 1,055 held by Stephane Pelle (1999-2003).

Roberson is the fourth CU player to leave school early for the NBA draft. The other three, Chauncey Billups, David Harrison and Alec Burks, were selected in the first round.

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