:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69752465/usa_today_14154969.0.jpg)
When the San Antonio Spurs invited Justin Robinson to play Summer League ball it was probably as a sign of respect for his father, David Robinson as much as anything, but the younger Robinson has earned a great deal of respect too.
He came to Duke as a preferred walk-on and left as a captain despite rarely playing. He’s not a great basketball player but he’s a great person who has a major impact wherever he goes.
His dad, who spent a lot of time in Cameron while Justin was there, enjoyed seeing him as a Spur, even if it was a brief appearance: “He seems to really enjoy it,” the elder Robinson told the Houston Chronicle. “He’s getting better and better. He’s got the body for it. When you are 6-10, you might as well see if you can play.”
For his part, Justin said this about wearing his dad’s legendary #50 for the Spurs: “[t]o be able to wear it for the Spurs, that’s a dream come true.”
He also got to reunite with Duke teammate Tre Jones, who just finished his rookie season with the Spurs, and Jones raved about Robinson and his family cheering everyone on, saying that “[t]hat speaks about the family they have. They always want others to do well, not just themselves. I can only say good things about that family, how helpful they’ve been and how much they support everyone around them.”
Justin played in Europe last season for KK Podgorica, a team in Montenegro. He’s still listed on their roster so he may be back this coming season.
He’s still evolving as a player but he’s the kind of guy who could help any team because, like his father, his character is really, really good. Anyone would love to have that guy on their side.