Since making his final collegiate appearances for Virginia Tech in 2019, Justin Robinson has bounced around the league quite a bit: 43 games with five different NBA teams, another 50 games with three different G League teams and then mix in three separate Summer League stints, as well. Going into his fourth professional campaign, the plan was simple: sign with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s NBL, then play well enough to hopefully make it back to the NBA.
“First regular season game, I tore my right meniscus,” said the lefty point guard, recalling the knee injury that occurred against the Sydney Kings back on Oct. 1, 2022. “It was tough. The goal was to go to the NBL and then come right back to the NBA. That kind of got derailed for me. I’ve been out for a long time. It’s been eight months since my meniscus tear.”
Robinson returned to the United States about two months after having surgery and continued to rehab near his hometown of Manassas, VA. Shortly after the NBA Draft wrapped up last month, he received a call from the Hornets, who were looking to add an experienced veteran point guard to their Summer League roster.
“[My agent and I] have had conversations with the Charlotte Hornets the past couple years,” he said. “When the opportunity came after draft night and the team needing some point guards on the Summer League roster, the call came through and we accepted it.”
Playing out in Sacramento and Las Vegas has provided Robinson a chance to shake off some rust and get back to where he was before his injury in the land down under. Things are coming along slowly for Robinson out west – 5.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.6 steals in 14.7 minutes across five reserve Summer League appearances – but he’s back on the floor at least, which is good to see after a long time off of it.
“These are my first organized runs in eight months, so right now, it’s just the timing and stuff, getting it back,” he explained. “It’s great to have a great group of guys around me – staff, organization, players, teammates, everything. Guys are getting together and only have three days before coming here and trying to gel. I think obviously as people see, it’s not always the best basketball, but people are just happy to be on the court playing in an NBA setting.”
Considered by Summer League standards as one of Charlotte’s vets, the 25-year-old Robinson resigned with Illawarra – the same team LaMelo Ball played for prior to the NBA – back in January. His new deal includes an NBA opt-out clause, meaning he has until a certain date to sign with an NBA team, otherwise he’ll be returning to Wollongong in New South Wales.
“The way Illawarra went about my surgery and then giving me that security coming off an injury was a big sigh of relief,” said Robinson. “Even being able to come to an event like this and be the vet of the group, I get a chance to show my worth and get back in the flow. I’m 25 and seeing guys come in at 18, 19 and just being the vocal leader, that guy on and off the court to take care of everybody is a new interesting feeling. Play some games, get them under my belt, get back and get ready for what’s next.”
Robinson is part of growing NBL presence at Summer League, which this year, features 21 players (and probably many future ones) who have already played in the league at some point of their careers. Amongst them include recent NBA Draft selections Dyson Daniels (New Orleans), Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City), Hugo Besson (Milwaukee), Rayan Rupert (Portland) and Mojave King (Indiana).
“The league’s growing,” said Robinson. “I want to say in the next NBA Draft, there’s something like five players projected to be chosen from the NBL. Scouts are coming over there every game. Living in Australia is great, the league is growing and the people over there are great.”
Everybody at Summer League is playing for something and Justin Robinson is no different. Whether it’s in the NBA, NBL or somewhere in between, all that matters right now is that he’s healthy and back where he belongs on the basketball court.