As June and the NBA Draft approach, announcements from college basketball players are becoming frequent. One of the latest comes from Jaxson Robinson, who has decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft and transfer to Kentucky. Robinson, a promising junior, is coming off his most productive season yet, having averaged 14.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game for BYU. His impressive performance, which included a 35% shooting average, earned him the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year title.
Robinson played a crucial role in BYU’s successful season, leading the team in scoring and helping them bounce back from a sub-.500 finish in the WCC to a 23-win season and a fifth-place finish in the Big 12. His standout games included scoring 24 points in a win over NC State and a season-high 28 points against Denver. He capped off his time at BYU with a 25-point performance in their NCAA Tournament upset loss to Duquesne.
As Robinson prepares for his fifth collegiate season, he is set to reunite with his former coach, Mark Pope, at Kentucky. He is expected to take on a significant role for the Wildcats in the SEC, joining a team that has been revamped through the Transfer Portal with players like Lamont Butler, Kerr Kriisa, and Amari Williams.
Robinson, a 6’7 forward from Oklahoma, began his career in the SEC with stints at Texas A&M and Arkansas before rising to prominence at BYU. His return to Pope’s guidance at Kentucky is anticipated to add veteran presence and contribute to what looks like a Top 25 team. Time will tell how Robinson adapts to his new role, but expectations are high for his performance with the Wildcats.