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SAN ANTONIO — Justin Robinson couldn’t help but let his mind take him back home.
As a San Antonio native, Robinson desperately wanted Duke basketball to get him to the 2025 Final Four.
The Blue Devils did it. Robinson is back home.
“As soon as I heard about – maybe even last year – as soon as I heard that (the Final Four) was in San Antonio, I’ve been thinking about it,” Robinson said after Duke beat Alabama in the Elite Eight.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind. I couldn’t let it distract me, but there was definitely a little extra motivation for me. I’m feeling it now. I’m really happy. I’m proud.”
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Duke’s director of player development, Robinson’s roots are in south-central Texas. His father, David, had a Hall of Fame career as an NBA player with the San Antonio Spurs. Many of “The Admiral’s” games were at the Alamodome, where the Blue Devils (35-3) face Houston on Saturday (8:49 p.m., CBS) in the national semifinals.
“It’s amazing. It’s incredible. I’m so excited,” Justin Robinson said.
Robinson spent his prep career at San Antonio Christian Academy, averaging 13.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game as a senior for a squad that finished with a 33-8 record.
He went from a walk-on in Durham to a captain and consistent contributor for the Blue Devils in the 2019-20 season, which was cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Robinson’s final game, he had a career-high 13 points, six rebounds, four blocks and three assists in a win against rival North Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium. After playing professionally in Montenegro and Israel, Robinson joined Jon Scheyer’s coaching staff in November 2023.
“Justin, to see his journey at Duke first and foremost, five years at Duke, we recruited him as a walk-on. He could barely walk and chew gum at the time he got to us,” Scheyer said during a press conference at the Final Four.
“. … Always kept in touch. He was as smart as anybody I've ever coached, knowing every scouting report, technique, all of that. I always thought he'd be great at this.”
Robinson spends most of his time with Duke’s post players. Throughout Friday’s 50-minute open practice at the Alamodome, Robinson directed and coached Pat Ngongba, Khaman Maluach and Maliq Brown, among others.
Robinson looked right at home.
“Told him when the time comes, I want you back here (at Duke),” Scheyer said.
“He's been a great guy to have. He can get into practice, he can block shots, he can move still. But just his knowledge for the game has been awesome for us to have.”
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke basketball gets Justin Robinson to Final Four in San Antonio
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As a San Antonio native, Robinson desperately wanted Duke basketball to get him to the 2025 Final Four.
The Blue Devils did it. Robinson is back home.
“As soon as I heard about – maybe even last year – as soon as I heard that (the Final Four) was in San Antonio, I’ve been thinking about it,” Robinson said after Duke beat Alabama in the Elite Eight.
“It’s always been in the back of my mind. I couldn’t let it distract me, but there was definitely a little extra motivation for me. I’m feeling it now. I’m really happy. I’m proud.”
'VICTORY SCARS': Will Duke basketball be able to handle Houston’s physicality, defense at Final Four?
DUKE-HOUSTON PREDICTION: Duke basketball vs Houston prediction: Our pick for 2025 NCAA Tournament Final Four
Duke’s director of player development, Robinson’s roots are in south-central Texas. His father, David, had a Hall of Fame career as an NBA player with the San Antonio Spurs. Many of “The Admiral’s” games were at the Alamodome, where the Blue Devils (35-3) face Houston on Saturday (8:49 p.m., CBS) in the national semifinals.
“It’s amazing. It’s incredible. I’m so excited,” Justin Robinson said.
Robinson spent his prep career at San Antonio Christian Academy, averaging 13.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game as a senior for a squad that finished with a 33-8 record.
He went from a walk-on in Durham to a captain and consistent contributor for the Blue Devils in the 2019-20 season, which was cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Robinson’s final game, he had a career-high 13 points, six rebounds, four blocks and three assists in a win against rival North Carolina at Cameron Indoor Stadium. After playing professionally in Montenegro and Israel, Robinson joined Jon Scheyer’s coaching staff in November 2023.
“Justin, to see his journey at Duke first and foremost, five years at Duke, we recruited him as a walk-on. He could barely walk and chew gum at the time he got to us,” Scheyer said during a press conference at the Final Four.
“. … Always kept in touch. He was as smart as anybody I've ever coached, knowing every scouting report, technique, all of that. I always thought he'd be great at this.”
Robinson spends most of his time with Duke’s post players. Throughout Friday’s 50-minute open practice at the Alamodome, Robinson directed and coached Pat Ngongba, Khaman Maluach and Maliq Brown, among others.
Robinson looked right at home.
“Told him when the time comes, I want you back here (at Duke),” Scheyer said.
“He's been a great guy to have. He can get into practice, he can block shots, he can move still. But just his knowledge for the game has been awesome for us to have.”
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to [email protected].
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke basketball gets Justin Robinson to Final Four in San Antonio
Continue reading...
