Union University Athletics

Robert Joseph spent one and a half years at Union, leaving his mark as a senior as arguably the best individual season in men’s basketball history. 

Joseph was named the NAIA Player of the Year and the TranSouth Conference Player of the Year. He was named All-American, All-Conference, and was named all-tournament in both the NAIA and TranSouth Tournaments.  He was also named the TranSouth Newcomer of the Year in 2002. 

As a senior, Joseph averaged 22 points, 10 rebounds, and seven blocks per game. He led the nation in blocks per game and was tops in all three categories in the TranSouth. His 22 points ranked No. 10 in the NAIA and his 10 rebounds per game was No. 13 in the nation. 

Joseph broke several block records at Union, the NAIA level, and also all of college basketball. He set school records for blocks in a game with 12, and then tied his own record with 12 again in a game later in the season. He broke the old record of 69 blocks in a season with his 70th block in just his 10th game of the year. He more than tripled that number by season’s end, demolishing the old record with 242 blocks in a season. During the season, he broke the NAIA record of 181 blocks in a season. In the last regular season game of the year, Joseph passed David Robinson’s blocks record of 207 to become college basketball’s all-time leading shot blocker at all levels. This record earned Joseph a highlight on ESPN Sportscenter and also a mention in Sports Illustrated. Joseph’s record of 242 blocks in a season is still the best in college basketball at all levels to date. 

Joseph left his mark in the record book at Union in a few other categories as well. He is No. 2 in points in a season (784), just six points shy of the top spot. He is fifth in points in a game (42), third in field goals made in a season (282), and is tops in free throw attempts in a season (389), and free throw attempts in a game (28). He is first with 16 double-doubles in a season and ranks fourth with 16 double-doubles in a career.

Joseph led Union to a 31-5 record, a conference regular season and tournament title, a No. 2 seed in the NAIA National Tournament, and a final ranking of No. 3 in the national poll.