Fred Roberts

One collector is trying to find a single signature from every man who ever played for the Jazz — all 370 of them, from the 1974 New Orleans team to today. For many of them, this page is the only one on the internet. Here is Fred Roberts: what he did on the floor, a few things most people never knew, and every card that carries his name. If you own something he signed — or you know who might — there is a note at the foot of this page.

Provo-born and BYU-polished alongside Danny Ainge and Greg Kite, Roberts began his pro life in Bologna before a 13-season NBA journey. Utah acquired the power forward from San Antonio in 1984, then in 1986 matched Boston's offer sheet only to trade him to the Celtics for a draft pick and two preseason games. He reached the 1987 Finals with Boston and had his best years in Milwaukee, once scoring 33 playoff points against Dennis Rodman's Pistons.

A footnote he owns alone: Roberts is the only player in NBA history to have been a teammate of both Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Afterward he became an educator in Utah, five years as a principal and then a sixth-grade classroom from 2007.

HOW HE CAME & WENTSan Antonio traded him to Utah for two second-round picks in 1984. Boston signed him to a $365,000 offer sheet in 1986 expecting no match — Utah matched, then traded him to Boston on September 25 for a third-round pick and two preseason games.

Full name

Frederick Clark Roberts

Utah Jazz tenure

1984–86

Position

Forward

Born

1960, Provo, Utah

Height

6′10″ (208 cm)

Weight

218 lb (99 kg)

College

Brigham Young

Drafted

1982, 2nd round, Milwaukee