Basketball
Brian Roberts: Toledo’s Basketball Prodigy Making Waves in the Game
Brian Roberts, a basketball standout hailing from Toledo, Ohio, emerged as a determined force in the game of basketball, leaving an enduring impact on both the local and international stages. Graduating from St. John’s High School in 2004, Roberts showcased his prowess with three-time Associated Press All-Ohio selections and pivotal contributions that guided St. John’s to the state championship game.
His journey continued at the University of Dayton from 2004 to 2008, where Roberts’s four-year college basketball career unfolded with remarkable achievements. Averaging 15.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, he garnered numerous accolades, including Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team honors, All-Atlantic 10 second team honors (twice), and All-Atlantic 10 first team honors. Notably, Roberts was recognized for his academic excellence with Atlantic 10 All-Academic team honors and NABC Division I All-District 10 first team honors.
Despite facing the setback of not being drafted in the 2008 NBA draft, Roberts showcased resilience by joining the Orlando Magic’s and Los Angeles Lakers’ summer league squads. His journey then led him to Altshuler Saham Galil Gilboa in Israel for the 2008–09 season, marking the beginning of his international endeavors.
In 2012, Roberts caught the attention of the NBA once again, joining the New Orleans Hornets’ summer league squad. This opportunity led to a multi-year NBA deal with the Hornets, and on March 25, 2013, he delivered a standout performance with a career-high 18 assists, aiding the team in snapping the Denver Nuggets’ 15-game winning streak. The following April, the Hornets transformed into the Pelicans, and Roberts continued to shine, finishing the 2013–14 NBA season with the highest free throw percentage.
Roberts’s NBA journey included trades to the Miami Heat and later to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2016. His debut with the Trail Blazers, contributing seven points in a victory over the Golden State Warriors, added another chapter to his impactful career.
In 2018, Roberts embraced a new challenge, signing a one-year deal with the Spanish club Unicaja. His final playing year was in 2019, concluding a remarkable career characterized by determination, resilience, and a consistent pursuit of excellence on the basketball court. Brian Roberts remains a Toledo basketball legend, leaving an inspiring legacy for aspiring players in the game.
Basketball
It’s Time to Crown Natasha Howard: The Glass City’s UNDISPUTED, Most Valuable!
You’re talking about Natasha Howard? And you talking about Toledo, Ohio? And you talking about respect and recognition?! Let me tell you something, and I’m gonna be loud and clear, because this is an OUTRAGE! An absolute, unadulterated, head-scratching, jaw-dropping OUTRAGE!
We are sitting here, in the year of our Lord, 2025! And Natasha Howard, a woman who has cemented her legacy as one of the greatest to EVER step foot on a basketball court, is still waiting for her hometown to truly acknowledge her! It’s like asking a five-star chef to cook a gourmet meal and then serving it on a paper plate!

IT MAKES NO SENSE!
The Receipts Are IN!
Let’s just look at the resume, shall we? Because the proof, my friends, is in the pudding! This isn’t some hypothetical discussion! This isn’t a “what if”! This is cold, hard, undisputed fact!
- THREE-TIME WNBA CHAMPION! That’s not one, not two, but three rings! You hear me? Three! That immediately puts her in the conversation with legends, past and present!
- TWO-TIME WNBA ALL-STAR! She’s been recognized by her peers and the fans as one of the elite talents in the league, not just once, but twice!
- TWO-TIME ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM! She’s not just an offensive threat; she’s a lockdown defender, a brick wall, a nightmare for opposing players!
- 2018 WNBA MOST IMPROVED PLAYER! She put in the work, she evolved her game, she took it to another level! That takes dedication, folks!
- 2023 AND 2024 EUROLEAGUE CHAMPION! You hear that? That’s international dominance! She’s taking her talents across oceans and conquering the world! Winning back-to-back championships in Europe! That is unparalleled!
- And as if that weren’t enough, just this year, 2025, she just led her team to the COMMISSIONER’S CUP CHAMPIONSHIP AND WAS NAMED THE MVP! The MVP, people! She is still performing at an ELITE, championship-caliber level!

She’s got a trophy case that probably needs its own zip code! Championships, individual accolades, domestic, international – she has done it ALL!
Everybody ELSE Gets It! Why Not Toledo?!
The WNBA gets it! They give her her flowers, they recognize her greatness! The fans, from Seattle to New York, from Dallas to Indiana, they see the brilliance of Natasha Howard! Even her own people, the passionate basketball fans right there in Toledo, they understand what they have in their midst! And let me tell you something, when a bona fide Toledo sports icon like Jim Jackson — a man who has seen his share of greatness, a man who knows what it takes to perform at the highest level — when he steps up and gives Natasha Howard her proper due, you know it’s legitimate! He’s not just casually mentioning her; he’s giving her HER FLOWERS!

But then you look at the City of Toledo, the actual government, the powers that be, and it’s like they’re living under a rock! A giant, oblivious rock! We’re not just talking about a little plaque, folks! We’re not talking about some ceremonial street naming, although, again, that’s the absolute bare minimum! That is a drop in the bucket compared to what this woman has accomplished!
No! We’re talking about recognizing her for what she unequivocally is: THE MOST DECORATED SPORTS ATHLETE IN TOLEDO HISTORY!
You search the records! You look at the resumes! Who else from the Glass City has accumulated this kind of hardware, this kind of sustained excellence, this kind of championship pedigree across multiple levels of professional basketball? Nobody! Not one single soul!
So, I’m calling you out, Toledo! It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee! It’s time to acknowledge the true greatness that has emerged from your very own streets! Natasha Howard isn’t just a great athlete from Toledo; she’s the greatest! And it’s time you act like it! She deserves nothing less! Now, do something about it!
Basketball
Play by Play Ep 49 | Edward T McCants
This week on Play by Play with Jesse Coleman, we’re joined by Milwaukee basketball royalty, Hall of Famer Edward T. McCants! We dive deep into the world of college hoops, discussing the ever-evolving landscape of the transfer portal, the game-changing impact of NIL, and the electric atmosphere of AAU basketball. Edward shares his insights and experiences from a lifetime dedicated to the sport, offering a unique perspective on the current state of the game. But that’s not all! We also welcome special guest Joeigh Eaton, who joins us to break down her perfect final four bracket! Yes, you heard that right! How did she do it? What’s her secret? We’ll find out as she shares her incredible journey through the tournament and offers her expert analysis. Join Jesse, Edward, and Joeigh for a dynamic conversation packed with passion, knowledge, and a touch of bracket magic. Whether you’re a die-hard basketball fan or simply love a good sports story, this episode is a must-listen. Presented by Win or Lose Sports and proudly sponsored by The 419 Grind, bringing you the best in local sports coverage. Don’t miss out! #finalfour #collegehoops
Basketball
Play by Play | Episode 48: Coach Precious Hands & Hoops Talk
In this episode of Play by Play with Jesse Coleman, we sit down with Coach Precious Hands, JV coach for the Springfield Blue Devils girls’ basketball team. With 13 years of coaching experience, she shares her journey, the mentors who shaped her along the way, and the lessons she’s learned coaching young athletes. We also dive into the NBA & WNBA, discussing key moves this offseason—including Toledo’s own Zia Cooke and Natasha Howard, who both found new teams. What impact will these changes have on their careers and their teams? Don’t miss this conversation about coaching, basketball, and the evolving game at all levels! 🔔 Like, Comment & Subscribe for More Sports Talk! #PlayByPlay #JesseColeman #CoachPreciousHands #SpringfieldBlueDevils #Basketball #WNBA #NBA #ZiaCooke#NatashaHoward
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