Joshua Scott McRoberts (born February 28, 1987) is an American former professional basketball player who played eleven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). McRoberts, a 6-foot-10-inch (2.08 m) power forward, played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 37th overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft.
McRoberts attended Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana, and led the Greyhounds in both scoring and rebounding during his senior year.
He averaged 17.9 points to go along with 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.0 blocked shots per game and shot .593 (166-of-280) from the field while guiding the Greyhounds to a 21–4 record and a trip to the sectional championship game in 2005. McRoberts was considered the number-one power forward prospect out of high school, and was projected to be drafted in the 2005 NBA draft had he declared.
As of 2021, 247sports.org rates McRoberts as the third-highest-rated recruit in the history of Duke basketball.
At Duke University, McRoberts averaged 8.7 points and 1.3 blocked shots while leading the team in field goal percentage (60.5%). McRoberts was named to the ACC All-Freshman team. He helped the Duke Blue Devils to a record of 32–4, the ACC regular season title, and the 2006 ACC tournament championship title by defeating Boston College. He was also named to the third team Freshman All-America by collegehoops.net.
McRoberts' late-season numbers improved as he recorded 10 of his 15 double-figure scoring games in his final 14 games, while averaging 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds (with a 59.6 FG%).
Considered a potential NBA draft lottery pick, McRoberts instead stated he would not enter the draft, and would return to Duke for the 2006–07 season.
McRoberts underwent a successful lumbar discectomy on August 3, 2006. He had been suffering from chronic back problems since high school and had the operation to alleviate the problem.
On December 19, 2006, against Kent State, McRoberts had a career-high 19 points, six blocks, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals making him the first Duke player to tally at least four in all five categories.
Portland Trail Blazers (2007–2008)
On March 22, 2007, McRoberts declared himself eligible for the 2007 NBA draft. On June 28, 2007, he was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 37th overall pick in the NBA draft.
On January 9, 2008, McRoberts was assigned to the Idaho Stampede, the Trail Blazers' D-League affiliate. After being with the Stampede for nearly a month, and getting an over 20-minute-per-game increase in playing time, McRoberts was called back up to the Trail Blazers.
On June 26, 2008, the night of the 2008 NBA draft, McRoberts was traded by the Trail Blazers to his hometown Indiana Pacers in a deal that sent him, along with Brandon Rush and Jarrett Jack in return, for 11th overall pick Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu.
Los Angeles Lakers (2011–2012)
On December 14, 2011, the Los Angeles Lakers signed McRoberts to a two-year deal worth about $6 million.
On August 10, 2012, McRoberts was traded to the Orlando Magic as part of the blockbuster deal that sent All-Star center Dwight Howard to the Lakers.
On February 21, 2013, McRoberts was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for Hakim Warrick.
On July 11, 2013, McRoberts re-signed with the Bobcats. On March 28, 2014, McRoberts scored a career-high 24 points in a loss to the Orlando Magic. He finished the season with career highs in games played and starts with 78 each. On April 30, 2014, McRoberts underwent successful surgery to remove bone spurs from his left big toe.