There are several glaring similarities between Roberts’ and Luisetti’s basketball careers. First, both used a revolutionary new shot that accounted for each players’ accelerated scoring – Roberts with a two-handed jump shot and Luisetti with a one-handed running shot. Secondly, the team records for Emory and Henry and Stanford were 68-12 during Roberts’ and Luisetti’s 80 varsity games played against other colleges and universities. Thirdly, Roberts and Luisetti each scored fifty points in a game – Roberts against the "House of David," a non-college team. (Roberts scored 38 points in a college game against Union College of Kentucky]] Luisetti's 50 point performance was against Duquesne University of Pennsylvania. Lastly, both Roberts and Luisetti enjoyed a limited post-college professional basketball career.
Luisetti's rise to national prominence was generated by Stanford's good fortune in being invited by Ned Irish to play in Madison Square Garden. After barnstorming across the country playing to capacity crowds in big cities like Cleveland and Philadelphia, Stanford concluded their tour by playing Long Island University (LIU) on Dec. 30, 1936. LIU had won 43 straight games, but was whipped by Stanford as Luisetti had a great night scoring 15 points.
One can only conjecture the result had Emory and Henry and Glenn Roberts been invited by Ned Irish to play in Madison Square Garden. Would the opposing teams have been able to adjust to and defend the unorthodox and likely never-before-seen two handed jump shot of Glenn Roberts? On the other hand, how well would Luisetti's exploits have been remembered had Stanford not made their cross-country trip culminating in the LIU game where he was in the cross-hairs of the powerful Northeast press.
A comparison of Roberts’ and Luisetti’s playing abilities is not the intent here, nor is it an attempt to detract from Luisetti’s greatness. It is intended, rather, to use Luisetti’s great accomplishments as a mirror for Glenn Roberts’ individual basketball accomplishments.
Record keeping was also limited in college games of the 1930s and therefore records for field goal percentages, foul shooting percentages, assists etc. were non-existent.
Letters from Emory and Henry teammates Sam Neal, Walter Fielder and Paul Mackey, on file at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, indicate that Roberts field goal percentage was well in excess of 50 per cent. They further state that he rarely missed a foul shot. They also attested to his strong defensive play.
Roberts, in a 1975 interview with Abe Goldblatt for his book, "The Great and the Near Great: A Century of Sports in Virginia," stated that he "took every defensive assignment as a personal challenge to hold my opponent to as few points as possible."
Also, in a letter on file at the Basketball Hall of Fame, Firestone teammate Irv Terjesen testifies to Roberts' all around play.
If one is to believe the testimony of his college and professional teammates, Roberts was more than a prolific scorer, but an all around great player.
Newspaper Clippings from various newspapers and over 100 letters from teammates, opponents, coaches, referees and sportswriters are on file at Basketball Hall of Fame.