Sports
Robinson using McDonalds snub as motivation
April 7, 2009
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It’ll take some time for Thomas Robinson to get over the disappointment of not being invited to play in the McDonald’s All-America basketball game.
“I am kind of (ticked) off, but will use it as motivation,” the future Kansas University power forward said.
Robinson took out some of his frustrations at the recent Roundball Classic high school all-star game on March 22 in Hagerstown, Md. The 6-foot-8, 225-pound senior from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H., scored 29 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the Nationals’ 103-101 victory over the Americans.
Robinson — he averaged 16 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks a game for Brewster this past season — was asked if he felt he had something to prove in the fourth-annual game featuring players from the East coast.
“No, I will prove that next year (at KU),” said Robinson, who has already discussed the McDonald’s snub with KU coach Bill Self.
“He told me not to worry about it, to use it to motivate me,” Robinson said. “It’s an all-star game. It doesn’t mean anything once you get to college.”
Robinson — he’ll next compete at the Reebok All-America game as a teammate of KU signee Elijah Johnson on April 18 in Robinson’s hometown of Washington, D.C. — had two rim-rattling dunks and also hit several jumpers at the Roundball Classic.
“I hit a few 15-footers. A lot of people don’t know about my (offensive) game,” noted Robinson, who is known as a fierce rebounder. “That’s one of the reasons I chose Kansas. Coach Self will help me develop my game to where I can show I can do more (than rebound).”
Robinson, who is Rivals.com’s No. 18-rated player, showed some toughness late in his senior season. He grabbed 17 rebounds in a game while playing with a broken bone in his left, non-shooting hand. He doesn’t need surgery.
“I’m fine,” Robinson said, noting he’d arrive at KU in June for summer school.
He said he was impressed with KU’s play this past season.
“I’m not surprised. I’ve seen the team,” Robinson said. “I knew they’d be good. I’m glad they proved people wrong.”
He said the sky could be the limit next year if Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich put off the NBA draft for a year.
“If they came back, it’d be a blessing,” Robinson said. “We could have a championship team.”
In fact, some are already tapping KU as a national title contender for next season if Collins and Aldrich return and if the Jayhawks can add either Xavier Henry or Lance Stephenson in recruiting.
Notes:
• He was right: Robinson proved prophetic when asked an hour before tip of the national title game which team would win.
“Michigan State has been messing up everybody’s brackets, but I go with North Carolina,” Robinson said.
• Reebok rosters: Here are the rosters for the Reebok all-star game.
Team Finish: Elijah Johnson, Thomas Robinson, Mike Moser, Dexter Strickland, Junior Cadougan, Naji Hibbert, Andrew Fitzgerald, John Jenkins, Rodney McGruder, Dante Taylor, Erik Murphy.
Team Create: Mfon Udfofia, Maurice Creek, Lorenzo Brown, Joe Burton, Tim Frazier, Ari Stewart, Richard Howell, Fred Gulley, Isaiah Philmore, Terrell Vinson, Isaiah Armwood.
• Pastner to hire Henry?: A source told the Sporting News on Monday that new Memphis coach Josh Pastner “would hire former Kansas player Carl Henry as the program’s director of operations, which would keep signed recruit Xavier Henry, Carl’s son, in the program.”
The Memphis Commercial Appeal said Pastner was “instrumental” in the recruitment of Henry. Pastner will be introduced as Memphis coach today.
Carl Henry said last week that Xavier wanted to attend KU in the wake of John Calipari’s hiring at Kentucky.
• Ellis update: Perry Ellis, a 6-foot-8 freshman from Wichita Heights, recently became the first freshman in Kansas history to be named Gatorade Player of the Year. Ellis, 15, has already been offered a scholarship by KU and Memphis.
“People ask me about college, but that's still a long way away," Ellis told the Wichita Eagle.
More like this
- Prep star delays decision 31 comments / April 1, 2009
- Recruit Henry’s dad: KU in the mix April 1, 2009
- Memphis not hiring recruit’s father 6 comments / April 7, 2009
- Robinson hoping to receive bid to McDonald's All-America game February 12, 2009
- Xavier Henry calls news conference for 11:15 a.m. Thursday to announce college choice 59 comments / April 22, 2009
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7 April 2009
at 7:04 a.m.
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PHILLYJIM (Anonymous) says…
KU can't complain If Henry stays at Memphis because of hiring his dad, as hiring dads helped get Danny Manning and Mario Chalmbers. That being said, how does the NCAA allow that? If you had a booster give a players dad a job, the NCAA would crack down on that. But if the head coach gives him a job, it's ok?
7 April 2009
at 7:47 a.m.
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wolfy (Anonymous) says…
Robinson is the kind of kid we need to continue recruiting (and getting excited about) as KU Basketball fans. He's tough, hard-nosed and NOT self-important. I like the guys just on the cusp of McDonald's game celebrity. They tend to be committed for the long term to causes larger than themselves.
7 April 2009
at 7:52 a.m.
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RickSuttle (Anonymous) says…
Sign Stephenson! Enough Henry drama. Snub us once, shame on you. Snub us twice, you shouldn't snub us twice.
7 April 2009
at 8 a.m.
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Pilgrim2 (Anonymous) says…
RickSuttle (Anonymous) says…
Sign Stephenson!
**********************************
Hey, Rick, you never answered my question in the other thread about turning Stephenson from a prima donna into a player. You gonna be the one to do that?
7 April 2009
at 8:41 a.m.
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mom_of_three (Anonymous) says…
Stephenson is a one and done. not sure that would help. look what Beasley did for KSU. Much of nothing.
7 April 2009
at 9:28 a.m.
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red_devil (Anonymous) says…
Much of nothing? He helped them wipe out a 40 something game losing streak in mancrappin to KU. And he got them into the NCAA tournament second round. You better believe someone with that talent would “help”.
Just because a kid might be a one and doner doesn't mean he's going to be a team cancer. Remember Brandon Rush?
7 April 2009
at 9:32 a.m.
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red_devil (Anonymous) says…
BTW, KU was beat in the title game against Syracuse by another one and doner by the name of Carmelo Anthony. Not sure why everyone thinks KU is too good for these guys.
7 April 2009
at 9:47 a.m.
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RickSuttle (Anonymous) says…
Pilgrim2 said “Hey, Rick, you never answered my question in the other thread about turning Stephenson from a prima donna into a player. You gonna be the one to do that?”
Do you know this kid? Have you read somewhere that he is a bad teammate? Can I disprove your ad hominem attack on him? Watch the McDs All-American game video and then tell me we don't want him.
7 April 2009
at 10:09 a.m.
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Phogfan86 (Anonymous) says…
“Have you read somewhere that he is a bad teammate?”
He's been a terrible teammate his entire high school career. He's a me-first kind of kid. He also comes from the same high school that produced Stephon Marbury and Sebastian Telfair. The acorn doesn't fall too far from the tree.
That said, a tough coach like Bill Self or Tom Izzo or Ben Howland would clearly lay down expectations, make sure he knows who's in charge and then hold him accountable. Stephenson's been an on-court problem child, but if Self wants him, I have to trust him.
7 April 2009
at 10:21 a.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
” He's a me-first kind of kid.”
Wow, then he's your kind of guy. Why do you object to him?
7 April 2009
at 5:19 p.m.
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jkilgore (Anonymous) says…
Phogfan86,
I have read other things about Stephenson that put him in a much more favorable light. Do you have sources? I already know about his past.
7 April 2009
at 5:35 p.m.
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jaywalker (Anonymous) says…
Info on Stephenson goes both ways. I'd prefer Henry if we had a choice in the matter, all things considered.
7 April 2009
at 8:39 p.m.
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RickSuttle (Anonymous) says…
How many times does the Henry clan have to screw up over before the infatuation goes away? They chose Calipari and Memphis. Their current waffling could cost us Stephenson. Enough already!
7 April 2009
at 11:02 p.m.
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jaywalker (Anonymous) says…
The parents are KU basketball alums, Rick. And the sons are young men choosing a life path and just had a huge snarl thrown into it. Finish your Shuttle, get a nap, and try to incorporate some perspective into your day to day.
8 April 2009
at 12:40 a.m.
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RickSuttle (Anonymous) says…
jaywalker (Anonymous) says…
“The parents are KU basketball alums, Rick. And the sons are young men choosing a life path and just had a huge snarl thrown into it.”
So they get a pass for directing their sons to a rival program? Calipari? Now dragging out the drama? Nope.