Mitchell Robinson III is a professional basketball player who plays for the New York Knicks in the NBA as of May 2025. The New York Knicks recognized Robinson's potential and drafted him as the 36th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2018 NBA draft. Robinson has developed a niche as a formidable rim protector and a master of converting alley-oop dunks. Despite being a rookie in the 2018-19 season, he immediately impacted the defensive end. He finished second in the NBA in blocked shots per game, trailing only Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers. His terrific performances earned him a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team. In the 2024-25 playoffs, Robinson has been a key player for the Knicks to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Robinson is providing the second opportunities for the team by grabbing the offensive rebounds.
Born on April 1, 1998, Robinson III played high school basketball at Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Florida, and later at Chalmette High School in Chalmette, Louisiana. At first, he wasn’t a great talent, but as soon as he was blessed with a significant growth spurt that propelled him to an impressive 7 ft, he started dominating. By the end of senior year, Robinson emerged as a 5-star athlete, leading Chalmette to their first district championship in 20 years.
Mitchell Robinson's College
Mitchell Robinson III decided to skip college to focus on individual training and development before the 2018 NBA draft. Following his high school graduation in 2017, Robinson’s journey towards the NBA was truly unconventional. At first, Robinson signed a letter of intent with Western Kentucky University to play for their Hilltoppers basketball team, making him WKU’s first-ever five-star student-athlete.
Robinson arrived on campus in early July to play for the Hilltoppers. He practised with the team for about two weeks before a planned team trip to Costa Rica, before the start of basketball season. But soon, reports began to circulate that Robinson had left the campus out of nowhere, and to everyone's surprise, his room had been cleaned out.
It was reported that Robinson III visited Louisiana State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of New Orleans, as he was hoping for a transfer. Less than a month after returning to campus, Robinson made a groundbreaking announcement—he would forgo college altogether and prepare for the 2018 NBA draft independently. This decision set him apart as the first recruited draft pick to abstain from playing for any college, professional, or high school/postgraduate team for an entire year before entering the NBA draft. Despite the unconventional route, the NBA credited him as a product of Western Kentucky.
The move sparked discussions about the traditional college-to-NBA path and showcased Robinson's determination to chart his course. His decision to bypass collegiate play and directly enter the NBA draft created a narrative of independence.
FAQs on Mitchell Robinson
A. Mitchell Robinson’s age is 27 years old, as of May 2025.
A. Mitchell Robinson has played in the NBA for 7 seasons, as of the 2024-25 season.
A. Mitchell Robinson signed a four year $60 million contract on July 12, 2022.
A. Mitchell Robinson plays center for the New York Knicks.
A. Mitchell Robinson’s parents are Mitchell Robinson Jr. and Lakesha Robinson.
