Why did Mitchell Robinson skip college?

Last Modified May 20, 2025 12:45 GMT
Mitchell Robinson
Mitchell Robinson during New York Knicks v Milwaukee Bucks game

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.

Related Stories

NBA Trade Rumors: Miami Heat's Kevin Durant pursuit halted by status of 7-foot-4 wingspan sophomore NBA Trade Rumors: Miami Heat's Kevin Durant pursuit halted by status of 7-foot-4 wingspan sophomore
NBA Trade Rumors: Miami Heat's Kevin Durant pursuit halted by status of 7-foot-4 wingspan sophomore
"Eat your vegetables" - Victor Wembanyama leaves Kai Cenat in splits after revealing secret about reaching 7-foot-3 "Eat your vegetables" - Victor Wembanyama leaves Kai Cenat in splits after revealing secret about reaching 7-foot-3
"Eat your vegetables" - Victor Wembanyama leaves Kai Cenat in splits after revealing secret about reaching 7-foot-3
1d
"Lucky Hali got hurt" - NBA fans downplay OKC Thunder's 2025 NBA championship win with help from Pacers' misfortune "Lucky Hali got hurt" - NBA fans downplay OKC Thunder's 2025 NBA championship win with help from Pacers' misfortune
"Lucky Hali got hurt" - NBA fans downplay OKC Thunder's 2025 NBA championship win with help from Pacers' misfortune
4h
"This just confirms the NBA is fixed" - Fans erupt as OKC Thunder’s championship bus sighting fuels Game 7 buzz vs Pacers "This just confirms the NBA is fixed" - Fans erupt as OKC Thunder’s championship bus sighting fuels Game 7 buzz vs Pacers
"This just confirms the NBA is fixed" - Fans erupt as OKC Thunder’s championship bus sighting fuels Game 7 buzz vs Pacers
7h
"KD just Eurostepped into ownership game" - NBA fans amped over Kevin Durant buying minority stakes in $4.6 billion soccer juggernaut "KD just Eurostepped into ownership game" - NBA fans amped over Kevin Durant buying minority stakes in $4.6 billion soccer juggernaut
"KD just Eurostepped into ownership game" - NBA fans amped over Kevin Durant buying minority stakes in $4.6 billion soccer juggernaut
1d
Stephen A. Smith took a long pause before snubbing LeBron James for surprise soccer icon as GOAT Stephen A. Smith took a long pause before snubbing LeBron James for surprise soccer icon as GOAT
Stephen A. Smith took a long pause before snubbing LeBron James for surprise soccer icon as GOAT
1d
LA Sparks vs Minnesota Lynx game player stats and box score for June 21 | 2025 WNBA season LA Sparks vs Minnesota Lynx game player stats and box score for June 21 | 2025 WNBA season
LA Sparks vs Minnesota Lynx game player stats and box score for June 21 | 2025 WNBA season
1d
US rejects visas for Senegal women's basketball team amid sweeping travel bans announced by Donald Trump US rejects visas for Senegal women's basketball team amid sweeping travel bans announced by Donald Trump
US rejects visas for Senegal women's basketball team amid sweeping travel bans announced by Donald Trump
1d
"Meanwhile Jalen Brunson in pool looking like someone aunty" - NBA fans amused as LeBron James trolls Knicks supporters with sly Finals dig "Meanwhile Jalen Brunson in pool looking like someone aunty" - NBA fans amused as LeBron James trolls Knicks supporters with sly Finals dig
"Meanwhile Jalen Brunson in pool looking like someone aunty" - NBA fans amused as LeBron James trolls Knicks supporters with sly Finals dig
1d
"No one respects it" - Gilbert Arenas drops bold take about supporting players getting no credit for championship wins "No one respects it" - Gilbert Arenas drops bold take about supporting players getting no credit for championship wins
"No one respects it" - Gilbert Arenas drops bold take about supporting players getting no credit for championship wins
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications