Robert Upshaw
| Free agent | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| Personal information | |
| Born | January 5, 1994 Fresno, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, California) |
| College | Fresno State (2012–2013) Washington (2014–2015) |
| NBA draft | 2015 / Undrafted |
| Playing career | 2015–present |
| Career history | |
| 2015–2016 | Los Angeles D-Fenders (D-League) |
Robert Upshaw (born January 5, 1994) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League. He played college basketball for Fresno State and the University of Washington before going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft.
College career
Upshaw played high school basketball for San Joaquin Memorial High School in his hometown of Fresno, California. A top 100 recruit, he originally committed to play college basketball for Kansas State University, but was released from his commitment when Wildcats head coach Frank Martin left for another job.[1] He then chose local Fresno State, where as a freshman in the 2012–13 season he averaged 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. In the summer after his freshman season, Upshaw was dismissed from the Bulldogs for violations of team rules.[2]
The 7'0" center then transferred to Washington. After sitting out the 2013–14 season per NCAA transfer rules, he played 19 games for the Huskies, averaging 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game. On January 26, 2015, Upshaw was dismissed from the Washington program, again for violations of team rules. He was leading the country in blocked shots per game at the time of his dismissal and had led the Huskies in rebounding.[3]
Professional career
Upshaw declared his eligibility for the 2015 NBA draft rather than transfer to another college program. At the NBA Draft combine, Upshaw measured as one of the tallest players in attendance (an even seven feet tall in shoes) with the longest standing reach and wingspan. He was projected as a late first-round or early second-round selection,[4] but went undrafted, likely due to his personal issues. In July 2015, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2015 NBA Summer League[5] where he averaged a mere 1.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Upshaw felt there was more in him than his Summer League showing, and after dropping 20 pounds,[6] he signed with the Lakers for training camp on September 14.[7] He was later waived by the Lakers on October 20 after appearing in four preseason games.[8] On October 31, he was acquired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Lakers.[9] Upshaw received consistent minutes for the D-Fenders throughout the season before losing his spot in the rotation in late February 2016. On March 11, 2016, his contract was terminated by the D-League for violating the league's anti-drug program.[10] In 28 games (two starts) for the D-Fenders in 2015–16, he averaged 7.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 15.6 minutes per game.[11]
References
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