The long-awaited announcement for the Big Blue Nation and the Kentucky basketball program arrived on Thursday. BYU wing Jaxson Robinson committed to Kentucky after withdrawing from the 2024 NBA Draft. This latest addition is a significant one for the Wildcats.
Robinson, who was named the 2023-24 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year, led the Cougars in points (14.2), field goals (164), and three-point field goals (81). Despite coming off the bench, he ranked second on the team in minutes (26.4) with shooting splits of .426/.354/.908. The super senior will now join Kentucky for his final season of college basketball.
Kentucky announced Robinson’s signing on Friday, and head coach Mark Pope expressed his excitement.
“Jaxson Robinson has shown remarkable improvement over the past two years and is just beginning to tap into his potential. His growth trajectory is phenomenal. He is an elite shooter, increasingly effective off the dribble and at the rim, and has the potential to be a significant playmaker. Jaxson defends with length and balance and understands the importance of building strong relationships with his teammates. On a personal level, I’m thrilled to complete his college journey with him as we pursue Kentucky’s ninth national championship.”
Mark Pope, Kentucky Head Coach
Robinson, a former top-100 recruit, began his career at Texas A&M before transferring to Arkansas for his sophomore season and then ultimately landing at BYU. Over two years in Provo, he played in 66 games for Pope. After starting in the 2022-23 season, Robinson moved to the bench and became BYU’s best player as a senior. Now, he will finish his college career at Kentucky. Robinson is the ninth transfer to join the Kentucky basketball program this offseason, joining a deep transfer class that includes Ansley Almonor (Fairleigh Dickinson), Koby Brea (Dayton), Lamont Butler (San Diego State), Andrew Carr (Wake Forest), Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State), Kerr Kriisa (West Virginia), Otega Oweh (Oklahoma), and Amari Williams (Drexel). Robinson, Brea, Butler, Carr, Kriisa, and Williams will all be super seniors in the 2024-25 season. Kentucky is set to be one of the oldest teams in college basketball during Pope’s first season in Lexington.
Robinson’s addition provides the Wildcats with a player who has SEC experience, familiarity with the current coaching staff, and versatility on the wing. He is a proven high-level player who immediately enhances Kentucky’s roster depth and brings potential star power to Pope’s inaugural team.