DaytonDailyNews.com

Brian Roberts has gotten acclimated to life in Israel while playing professional basketball there, although hearing fighter jets patrolling the skies was a little disconcerting at first.

The former Dayton star is based about an hour north of Tel Aviv. And while he was far removed from the violence that erupted along the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, he could tell something was afoot.

"I did have to get adjusted to hearing the Israeli planes and jets flying overhead," he said in a phone interview. "When I first got back here after Christmas, it was daily."

But Roberts otherwise has seen no signs of war.

"It's very peaceful and quiet here," he said.

The 6-foot-2 guard has played 11 games in the Israeli league and leads his 7-4 team in scoring with a 16.4 average. He's shooting 50 percent from the field, nearly 40 percent from 3-point range and 84.8 from the foul line.

Former Illinois star Brian Randle is second in scoring with a 15.1 average.

"I'm happy overall with how I've done," Roberts said. "I'm trying to continue to improve and keep the process going.

"I like the team. I like the coach. It's just a real good atmosphere here."

Roberts doesn't intend to have a long career in Israel, though. His goal, of course, is the NBA.

"If I continue to play the way I'm playing, I can increase next year as far as the league or team I'm playing for ... and I know eventually I'll get where I want to be," he said.

Roberts, who is fourth on UD's all-time scoring list, has been in Israel for nearly six months. He returned to Dayton during a 10-day break for Christmas and watched the Flyers knock off Marshall.

"They're really picking up defensively and getting after it for the whole game," he said. "That's definitely been very successful for them so far ... 18-2 is not too bad, I must say."

Roberts' season ends in May, and he's already agreed to become an active part of an AAU program in his hometown of Toledo. The nonprofit organization — called Team Toledo — was started by former Ohio State and NBA star Jimmy Jackson and is designed to help kids not only progress in basketball, but also learn life skills.

Roberts will be the director of player personnel.

"We're just trying to help the kids out in Toledo, and I want to do my part in the community I grew up in," Roberts said. "It's big to be able to use what I've received and bless others."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.