Stanley Robinson drafted by Magic, now in Israel

Stanley Robinson had an up–and–down career on the UConn men's basketball team. Robinson came to Storrs as a freshman from Birmingham and had trouble adjusting to life away from Alabama.

He reached the 1,000 point milestone on Jan. 13 vs. Pittsburgh at the XL Center. Robinson finished his career in Storrs with 1,231 points, good for 30th in team history.

Robinson came from Birmingham, A.L. to Storrs as a highly touted recruit, but never seemed to fit in with the team off the court. He struggled with the transition from Alabama to Connecticut and even considered a transfer. As a freshman, he averaged 5.4 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game as the Huskies missed the postseason. Robinson rebounded as a sophomore and so did the team, making an NCAA tournament appearance and winning 24 games. He averaged 10.4 ppg., 6.5 boards and a career-high 1.3 blocks per contest.

Robinson spent the first half of his junior season away from UConn, working at a sheet metal factory in Willimantic and joining the team as a walk-on for their Final Four run. Robinson played a vital role in spreading the floor, especially after guard Jerome Dyson went down with a season-ending ACL injury. In 28 games, he averaged 8.5 points and 5.9 rebounds. As a senior leader, Robinson had a subpar season. The Huskies missed the NCAA tournament and lost in the second round of the NIT. Although he averaged 14.5 ppg. and 7.6 rpg., Robinson did not provide the leadership UConn needed. Thus, his draft stock took a hit. 

In 126 career contests, 103 of them starts, he averaged 9.8 points per game and gave Husky fans plenty of memories with his athleticism on alley–oops, rim-rocking dunks and tip slams. Robinson was arguably one of the best dunkers of the decade in college basketball.

Robinson fell on the draft board all the way to the second-to-last selection. He was picked by the Orlando Magic in the second round, 59th overall, of NBA's June Draft. He signed a non-guaranteed deal. Vince Carter spoke highly of Robinson to lostlettermen.com.

"He's just a laid-back country boy that enjoys where he is and enjoys playing and is willing to learn," Carter said. "That's what's so great about him."

Robinson averaged 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game in five Summer League contests, but was ultimately waived by the Magic on Oct. 21 following the end of training camp.

Robinson was in the state for a few days and took in the Huskies' win over Stony Brook on opening night. The Daily Campus recently had a chance to catch up with Robinson for an interview:

DC: With this being the team's first game since your last college contest, what is it like watching your Huskies as a former player?

SR: It's different, just different. They're a young team and are just starting out together. I think back to how I started out and it's just different.

DC: Have you talked to the team yet?

SR: No, I will in practice.

DC: What did your experience in Orlando teach you?

SR: That I still have a lot of learning to do. I'll get through it.

DC: After getting cut, what are you future career options?

SR: It will probably be overseas or in the D-League. I don't know yet, I still have to talk to my agent.

Last month Robinson headed across the Atlantic to play in Israel. He reportedly signed with the Israeli team, Ironi Ashkelon, on Nov. 7. Former Celtics point guard and Southern California standout Gabe Pruitt is also on the team.