Unlike most other drafts when we debated between John Wall and Evan Turner in 2010, and Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams last year, virtually any and every Mock Draft in 2012 has Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis pegged as the top overall selection.
In many of those same mocks, analysts feel Kansas forward Thomas Robinson should be taken with the 2nd overall pick. But that’s not the case if you ask Robinson himself who should get drafted first.
The story behind the man known as T-Rob is an inspirational one. Halfway through his sophomore season, Robinson’s mother died suddenly back in his hometown of Washington D.C. She was only 37 years old, passing away of an apparent heart attack. He had just lost both grandparents only a month prior, and was informed of his mother’s passing by his distraught 9 year old sister.
But Robinson doesn’t want any pity as he went out and played that evening in a nationally televised Top 10 match-up with the Texas Longhorns. Last season, Thomas led the NCAA in double-doubles, finished 2nd in the nation in rebounding, and helped lead an under-manned Jayhawks squad to the NCAA Championship Game.
At 6‘9 and 245 lbs, he’s arguably as physical and as ready as any player in the country to contribute right away for an NBA team. While he’s an absolute beast inside the painted area with a motor that doesn’t quit, he has an outstanding jump-shot that extends out to the 3 point arc. Blessed with unbelievable athleticism, Robinson will be an immediate impact player as a freshman next season, just take a look at his junior season highlight reel.
In a recent interview prior to individual workouts for potential NBA teams, Robinson gave his opinion on just who should be taken #1 overall….
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
