Who drafted Mitchell Robinson?

Mitchell Robinson III is a professional basketball player currently donning the New York Knicks jersey in the NBA. Born on April 1, 1998, he has carved his niche as a formidable defender in the league. His basketball journey began at Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Florida, for the initial two years before a transfer to Chalmette High School in his junior year.

Following a 5-star rated high school career, Robinson enrolled at Western Kentucky University in July 2017. However, soon he left the WKC campus without informing authorities, before the season began and was eventually suspended indefinitely. And sat out for the 2017-18 season. He returned in August 2017, and made a groundbreaking announcement less than a month later, that he would forgo college altogether and prepare for the 2018 NBA draft independently. This decision set him apart as the first ever 5-star recruited draft pick to abstain from playing for any college, professional, or high school/postgraduate team for an entire year before entering the NBA draft.

After entering the NBA in 2018, Robinson III made an impact right from the start, he set summer league records for blocked shots and offensive rebounds. Robinson continued to shine in his rookie season with the Knicks, setting a franchise record with nine blocks in a game. He had a great rookie year as he earned a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team.

Robinson's decision to skip college was a unique choice, and he will forever be remembered for showing other young athletes that a different approach can be taken in a professional basketball journey.

Mitchell Robinson College

The New York Knicks drafted Mitchell Robinson III with the 36th overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft. He played for the Knicks in the 2018 Summer League, and performed so well that he ended up breaking league records for blocked shots and offensive rebounds.

Why did Mitchell Robinson fall to the second round?

Robinson III fell all the way to the second round of 2018 NBA draft, because several teams raised doubts about his dedication to the game considering his behavior off the court during his college days, and even during the 2018 Draft Combine. In July 2017, Robinson had signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at Western Kentucky University but out of nowhere, he chose to forgo college and decided to focus on individual training and development. This decision to skip college was a unique choice, but his abrupt departure from college left a question mark on his commitment, and the absence of competitive play for a year added to the uncertainty.

These factors contributed to his draft position. However, the New York Knicks management saw beyond the doubts and placed their trust in his talents, selecting him as the 36th pick in the second round. That trust was quickly justified in his rookie year, as Robinson displayed exceptional promise as a rim protector, ranking second in blocks per game. For a second-round pick, Robinson has crafted an impressive career, and the outlook for his future remains bright. His journey is a testament to both his potential and the faith that the Knicks' management had in his abilities, which has proven to be a wise investment in the promising talent.

In the 2022/23 season, Robinson III's great performance continued as he played 59 regular season games and boasted averages of 7.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.