Thomas Robinson Update: He’s Still Grindin’

Ron Bailey, Publisher

July 12, 2008 – When last we checked, Thomas Robinson was becoming a common name amongst recruiters, as the 6’8”+, 217 pound forward was turning travel team circuit heads with his rugged, inside based team oriented play. At that point, at least six scholarship offers had been secured, with many more schools observing him. Great news for a player often previously overlooked.

He’s a secret no more. One only has to look at his recent Reebok All-American Camp performance and the interest generated therein to see it.

Thomas Robinson, here in Squash All Beef silks, will likely wait until the late signing period to sign. He has gained weight since this picture was taken last summer.

“Memphis offered this morning, along with Minnesota and Oklahoma” Friday shared Dwight Redd, Thomas’ Squash All Beefs travel team coach and longtime mentor, of the incredible interest Robinson has earned. Those heavyweights are joined by UMass, Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, Providence, Seton Hall, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Marquette, South Florida, George Mason and Virginia Tech as institutions who have tendered scholarship offers to Thomas, a rising senior.

Being not very talkative until comfortable, Robinson, simply replied “Yes, it’s good” when asked if his Reebok Camp experience was enjoyable. Later, Thomas became more expansive after receiving a quick, playful verbal assault by this writer, revealing while laughing “It was my first big camp. They treated us well”.

Soon thereafter, Robinson continued “As far as proving myself, they recognized me there (making the all star team). He also noted “It helped me build my confidence up” and after prodding agreed he could likely play with anybody in the country.

Likely attending New England’s Brewster Academy for his senior year that self-assuredness will be necessary, as that school’s league, the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council, is well known for the strength of its basketball play. Also coming in handy will be his work ethic, something always present in Thomas.

“I’m going to the gym tonight” said Robinson while driving home from Philadelphia with Redd; despite garnering high accolades and attention, upon arriving home in Northeast, Washington, D.C., Thomas planned to “work on free throws, moves around the basket and my legs”.

Redd, who has coached and mentored Robinson since the latter was around 13 years old agreed the young guy must work on those aspects of his game, but slipping into a guiding mode, shared he is happy to see the accolades being received. “It definitely feels good to see a kid work his way up to it” said Redd of Thomas’ ascension “instead of it being given to him. All the hard work pays off at the end”.

Immediately upon saying that, Coach Redd re-emerged, adding “He definitely still needs to get stronger, work on his free throws and ball handling drills”.

No wonder Robinson is ‘beasting’ like he is. With a work ethic and people close that care enough to push him, he is bound to succeed.

And he is.