NBA G League player Terry Roberts sustained injuries after being shot outside a Philadelphia bar, putting a halt on his aspirations to join the big league. Roberts, who plays for the Long Island Nets, was in Philadelphia during an off-season visit when the incident occurred early Sunday, leaving him in critical condition at the hospital.
The Long Island Nets released a statement, saying, "Terry Roberts was the victim of a crime on Sunday morning in Philadelphia, and we are in the process of gathering more information about the incident," as reported by 6abc.com. Although his current condition is stable and recovery is expected, the severity of the incident has not been understated, with Roberts last playing for his team on Saturday in Uniondale, New York, and now dealing with the consequences of an unforeseen act of violence amidst the supposed safety of daylight hours in a city with its reputation.
Further details provided by NBC Philadelphia indicate that local law enforcement is still investigating the circumstances around the shooting, but officials have yet to disclose the specific events that led up to Roberts being hurt or his activities in Philly at the time. Although police have not caught the assailants, they confirm four suspects are at large following the shooting.
Roberts' determination to return to the court remains high despite the trauma, he's expressed an eagerness to rejoin his team once recuperation allows, "He is currently in stable condition, and he is expected to make a full recovery. Our thoughts are with him and his family at this time," according to a statement from the Long Island Nets obtained by www.whli.com. The Long Island native and University of Georgia alumni's journey to the NBA is now on an unforeseen hiatus as this tragedy serves as a chilling reminder of the fragility of life and the ever-present shadows lurking in the streets we walk, even for those on the cusp of realizing their dreams.
