Robert Upshaw

Robert Ridjell Upshaw[1] (born January 5, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for Arel Üniversitesi Büyükçekmece of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi. He played college basketball for Fresno State and the University of Washington.

Robert Upshaw
No. 55 – Büyükçekmece Basketbol
PositionCenter
LeagueBasketbol Süper Ligi
Personal information
Born (1994-01-05) January 5, 1994
Fresno, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High schoolSan Joaquin Memorial
(Fresno, California)
College
NBA draft2015 / Undrafted
Playing career2015–present
Career history
2015–2016Los Angeles D-Fenders
2016 Kalev/Cramo
2016–2017Mayrouba Club
2017Chemidor Tehran
2017Guaros de Lara
2017–2018Champville
2018Yakima SunKings
2018–2019Arka Gdynia
2019–presentArel Üniversitesi Büyükçekmece

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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4]

Professional career

Los Angeles D-Fenders (2015–2016)

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,[5] but went undrafted, likely due to his personal issues. In July 2015, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2015 NBA Summer League,[6] 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,[7] he signed with the Lakers for training camp on September 14, 2015.[8] He was later waived by the Lakers on October 20 after appearing in four preseason games.[9] On October 31, 2015, he was acquired by the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League as an affiliate player of the Lakers.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12]

BC Kalev/Cramo (2016)

On September 1, 2016, Upshaw signed with BC Kalev/Cramo of the Estonian League.[13] He appeared in five games for Kalev/Cramo during October before leaving the team in November due to a knee injury.[14]

Mayrouba Club and Chemidor Tehran (2016–2017)

After leaving Kalev/Cramo, Upshaw joined Mayrouba Club of the Lebanese Basketball League in late November 2016.[14] He made his debut for Mayrouba in their 2016–17 season opener on December 2.[15] In 18 games for Mayrouba, he averaged 19.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists 3.6 blocks per game. In April 2017, he joined Iranian team Chemidor Tehran for a three-game stint.

Guaros de Lara (2017)

In September 2017, Upshaw signed with Guaros de Lara of the Venezuelan Liga Profesional de Baloncesto for the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.[16]

Champville (2017–2018)

On October 4, 2017, Upshaw signed with Champville of the Lebanese Basketball League.[17] He left the team in February 2018. In 17 games, he averaged 13.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.9 blocks per game.

Yakima SunKings (2018)

In March 2018, Upshaw joined the Yakima SunKings of the North American Premier Basketball.[18] In five games, he averaged 11.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 3.0 blocks per game.

Arka Gdynia (2018–2019)

In August 2018, Upshaw signed with Arka Gdynia of the Polish Basketball League and the EuroCup.[19]

Arel Üniversitesi Büyükçekmece (2019–present)

On July 19, 2019, Upshaw signed with Arel Üniversitesi Büyükçekmece of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi.[20]

References
  1. "Robert Ridjell Upshaw was born on January 5, 1994 in Fresno County, California". californiabirthindex.org. California Birth Index. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  2. Dauster, Rob (March 28, 2012). "K-State commit Robert Upshaw will not follow Frank Martin". NBCSports.com. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  3. Eisenberg, Jeff (August 15, 2013). "Fresno State dismisses heralded center Robert Upshaw after one disappointing season". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  4. Jude, Adam (January 26, 2015). "Huskies center Robert Upshaw dismissed from the program for violation of team rules". Seattle Times. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  5. O'Donnell, Ricky (May 21, 2015). "Robert Upshaw could be a star if he overcomes his demons". SB Nation. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  6. "Lakers Announce 2015 Summer League Roster". NBA.com. July 2, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  7. Ramirez, Joey (September 17, 2015). "Upshaw Slims Down for Training Camp". NBA.com. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  8. "Lakers Sign Robert Upshaw". NBA.com. September 14, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  9. "Lakers Waive Frazier II and Upshaw". NBA.com. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  10. "D-Fenders Finalize 2015 Training Camp Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  11. "Robert Upshaw's NBA D-League Playing Services Terminated for Violating League Anti-Drug Program". OurSportsCentral.com. March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  12. Faigen, Harrison (March 11, 2016). "Robert Upshaw's contract terminated by D-League for violating anti-drug program". silverscreenandroll.com. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  13. "Robert Upshaw signs with BC Kalev/Cramo in Estonia". Sportando.com. September 1, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
  14. "Kalev/Cramost lahkunud Robert Upshaw liitus veel möödunud hooajal Liibanoni esiliigas mänginud meeskonnaga". sport.ohtuleht.ee (in Estonian). November 26, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  15. "Kalev/Cramost lahkunud Upshaw ei hakka põlve ravima, vaid eksootilises liigas mängima". sport.delfi.ee (in Estonian). November 26, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  16. Vega, Francisco (September 6, 2016). "Guaros sign Robert Upshaw, ex Chemidor, for FIBA Intercontinental Cup". Latinbasket.com. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  17. "Robert Upshaw inks with Champville". Sportando.com. October 4, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  18. Thomas, Dave (March 17, 2018). "SunKings back home but hurting". yakimaherald.com. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  19. "Robert Upshaw signs at Arka". Eurobasket.com. August 5, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  20. "Buyukcekmece signs Robert Upshaw". Sportando. July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
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