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Even when it's bad news, there's something good about knowing. Andre Roberson has announced his intention to forego his final season of eligibility with the Colorado Buffaloes and enter the 2013 NBA Draft. Roberson has been close to making this choice two times already this offseason, but was faced with doubts about leaving Colorado both times. With the deadline to declare tonight, Roberson decided to go ahead and pull the trigger.
Roberson leaves Colorado with a tremendous legacy and some fantastic memories.
In three seasons Roberson left his mark. He was the only CU player with 1,000 points (1,012) and rebounds (1,045), 150 blocks (150) and steals (164), and 100 assists (119). He also was the first Buffs player to lead the team in rebounding, blocked shots and steals for three consecutive seasons.
At the team's annual banquet earlier this month, Roberson was presented the Stephane Pelle Rebounding Award and earned the Best Defensive Player Award as voted by his teammates. He also was selected as the Pac-12 Conference's Defensive Player of The Year and was a first-team all-conference pick.
In the Buffs' school-record third consecutive 20-win season (21-12, 10-8 Pac-12 Conference), Roberson became the first CU player in 22 years to average a double-double (10.9 ppg, 11.2 rpg) in consecutive years. He finished second nationally in rebounding and he leaves CU with a career average just shy of a double-double - 9.6 points, 10.0 rebounds.
The Buffaloes had been widely projected to head into the season as the second favorite after Arizona in the Pac-12 conference and anywhere from 12-20 in the early 2013-14 rankings. Roberson's decision will certainly effect those lofty predictions, but the Buffs have plenty of returning firepower. Spencer Dinwiddie will now be the unquestioned leader of the Buffs with big improvements expected from Josh Scott and Xavier Johnson and new contributions from Wes Gordon and incoming freshmen Jaron Hopkins, Dustin Thomas and Tre'Shaun Fletcher.
Much more to come on Roberson's departure. Thanks for everything, Andre. Shoulder to shoulder.