Jaxson Robinson, right, says there are no limits on coach Mark Pope's offense. (UK Athletics Photo)
When Mark Pope was putting the finishing touches on his first Kentucky basketball roster, it seemed that the Cats needed one more piece. In particular, Pope and his staff hoped to land Jaxson Robinson, who had played for Pope at BYU.
Robinson was exploring his options, which included staying in the NBA Draft. However, he ultimately decided to join Pope at Kentucky.
“I kind of knew what I had in mind once I figured out that I wasn’t going to stay in the draft,” Robinson said. “I think it was a pretty easy choice for me.”
Having Robinson on the roster is important for several reasons. One, he figures to be one of the best players on the team. Two, he has plenty of experience playing college basketball. And three, he has played for Pope for the last two seasons.
Playing for the Cougars last season, Robinson took part in 33 games, providing a spark off the bench. He averaged 14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game and was named the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. How would Robinson describe Pope’s offensive style?
“Free-flowing, there’s no limits, Coach Pope doesn’t put any restrictions on anybody,” Robinson said. “That’s exactly how the game of basketball is supposed to be played. A lot of reaction, not so much sets. It’s amazing playing for a coach like Coach Pope.”
As for not going to the NBA, Robinson was tight-lipped about his decision. However, now that he’s back in college, he knows which things he needs to work on improving.
“I think it starts with leading, then obviously defense and rebounding,” Robinson said. “As long as I’m honing those three specific skills and figuring out how to get better every day.”
The leadership portion, especially being a vocal leader, is something to which Robinson is still adjusting.
“It’s a new area for me, being a vocal leader,” Robinson said. “I think the guys are doing a good job of keeping me confident and making sure that I’m staying vocal and giving the right information. I think it’s great, especially for me, being an introverted kid, I was always super quiet. Just being able to talk to my teammates and voice my opinion and what I see out there, it keeps me locked in.”
Robinson knows that being a leader is important due to one of Pope’s philosophies.
“To be honest with you, Coach Pope always emphasizes that this is a player-led team,” Robinson said. “That’s something he carried over from BYU, that was something I heard a lot last year. I think it’s super true in the sense that players would rather hold themselves accountable to the things they want to get done. I feel like this group of guys is locked in on that.”
Robinson has previous stops at both Arkansas and Texas A&M and is looking forward to being back in the Southeastern Conference this year.
“Yeah, 100 percent. I feel like I have a lot to prove, not only to people in the outside world, but to myself, knowing that I’m coming back to the SEC for a third time,” Robinson said. “There are a lot of games I’ve got circled on my calendar, so I’m excited to get out there.”
One Response
A key piece of the puzzle helps bring the big picture into focus — the timing, the attitude, the experience under Pope – and he will help to make the other pieces fit and look like future champions. Not sure what we win, how many we win, or how far we go, but I cannot see any team out-coaching UK or having the depth of UK. 12 players who are being COACHED into one big LIVING MACHINE and the depth will wear out opponents by the last segment of the game, if not much sooner.
As much as Jaxson brings to the team, I think the fact he has been with Pope for 2 years means much more to Pope than we may realize. He will be Pope’s voice in the game.
This is the most excitement for the UK BB program since Pitino’s players were recruited & developed into a team who made it to the Finals 3 years in a row, and only one Derek Andersen in OT from being a 3-peat !!!
Darius Miller and the super talented Davis and all the team-1st players in 2012 was a bright year, but we all knew it was because the players could win without a coach.