Robbie Robinson (196-G, college: CSUSB) is a 26 year old 203cm forward from California that played his second season in Portugal and first with Sporting Clube de Portugal Lisboa (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 7/5/2 and in the Fiba Europe Cup averaged 6.3ppg, 5.5rpg, FGP: 31.8%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 60.0%. He helped the team win 2 cup titles. He played his rookie season with Galitos-Barreiro (Portugal-Liga Betclic, starting five): 24 games: 14.0ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT-11 (88.6%). He began his basketball career with Kearny High School in San Diego, California. He then played a season at San Diego City College (JUCO) averaging 15.3ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7spg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 74.6%. He then played 2 seasons at The University of Nevada (NCAA) averaging 2.7ppg, 5.1rpg and 1.0ppg, 3.4rpg. He then played a season at the University of New Orleans (NCAA) averaging 3.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.6apg. He then added 2 more seasons at California State University San Bernardino (NCAA2) averaging 8.3ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 60.6%, FT: 65.8% and 14.0ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 77.4%. He spoke to eurobasket during the season about basketball.

Thanks Robbie for talking to germanhoops.com. Your played your second professional season and second season in Portugal and first with Sporting Clube de Portugal Lisboa (Portugal-Liga Betclic). Has Portugal become like a second home for you?

Portugal has definitely become a second home for me. Portugal and San Diego have a lot of similarities including the people, weather and food. The very first week I was out here I struggled just because it was brand new to me and I never been outside the US before but after I adjusted pretty quickly. Portugal has a special place in my heart and I’m grateful to be able to play here again.

Sporting Clube de Portugal Lisboa (Portugal-Liga Betclic) is battling for the top spot with Benfica Lisabon. The team last won a title in 2023. How big is the hunger to win that next title within the organization?

The hunger is huge! The ultimate goal is to win cups and titles. I feel that’s what everybody plays for. I think this years team is more than capable to achieve that goal but it won’t be easy.

Sporting Clube de Portugal Lisboa (Portugal-Liga Betclic) lost the first game by 37 points. How big is the rivalry within both teams?

The rivalry runs deep, losing that first game to Benfica by that many points was embarrassing but also a great learning experience. Beating them in the second time we played each other was eye opening to the whole country I believe. It put everybody on notice that we are the team to beat as well. The gyms are always packed when these two teams play, it’s a great environment and great competition. At the end of the day it’s mutual respect from both teams to each other.

Sporting Clube de Portugal Lisboa (Portugal-Liga Betclic) has many Americans and your putting up solid stats but not as big as last season as a rookie. This season there are more scoring options than last season. How big is efficiency this season for your game?

Efficiency is definitely something I need to keep working on but I know when you move up like I did to a bigger budget team, you will be teammates with players with as much or more talent than yourself. With that you aren’t really required to play 30-35 minutes a game, you come in and do your part. It took some time realizing that because I have been a player where the offense is keyed in on me the last two years but at the end of the day it’s a team game. I do my best to come in the game and make game winning plays and let the rest take care of itself.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 203cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

If I had to compare myself to an NBA player I would say LaMarcus Aldridge.

You’re a player that can fill the stat sheet with ease. How big is versatility a staple in your game?

I think versatility is something my father instilled in me at a very young age. I’ve always been tall but he would have me doing guard ball handling drills, shooting 3s, everything guards would do. Being versatile makes you more valuable I believe. I know I can do a little bit of everything, I’m a 3 level scorer, and pretty good passer. It’s hard to find bigs like that.

You have shot the ball really well from outside the last 3 seasons. Talk about your development of your three pointer now overseas. What kind of a shooter have you become and what kind of a shooter do you still want to become?

Shooting 3s has been a huge part of my game I’ve been working on a lot. I’ve always been able to shoot but never really got opportunities to showcase it due to the rosters I’ve been on. Being a big who can shoot raises your value for teams and I try to key in on that. I’ve become a big who can stretch the floor for teams and can shoot it at a high clip. I want to become a 40% shooter from 3, become an ultimate knock down shooter.

You also are a very ambitious defender. What kind of a defender are you and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I would say I’m a defender who can guard the 2-5, I’m 6’8 but I can guard bigs who are bigger or heavier than me. Playing at Nevada is really where I took pride in defense, being an ‘undersized’ big I had to separate myself from the others. I believe my first year at Nevada I was the best statistically on defense. I want to become a guy who can guard all positions, you don’t seem many guys who can do that.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to grow as a player?

The areas of my game that I am working on the most would be my 3 point shooting and my footwork in the post. I need to clean up those areas and not speeding myself up. Being patient and making the right reads on both sides of the ball.

You played a season at San Diego City College (JUCO) averaging 15.3ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7spg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 39.4%, FT: 74.6%. Every player that I have interviewed that played Juco have reported that it was a real grind, but one they wouldn’t have traded the world with. How was the experience for you?

My experience at San Diego city college was a great one. Being able to stay home one more year was a blessing. It’s funny not many people know I took a year off from school after I graduated high school. Reason behind that was because I didn’t know if I was going continue to play. I only had one scholarship offer to Humbolt state university and I wasn’t ready mentally or physically. San Diego city brought that love for the game back to me and I really played with a chip on my shoulder because of the year I took off a lot of people wrote me off.

How valuable was head coach Mitch Charlens in your early basketball development? How did he help you make the jump to the NCAA?

Coach Mitch was a coach who really cared and gave it to straight every time. Didn’t sugar coat anything, had coaches from all over the country coming to see me. I got nothing but love and respect for him.

You then played 2 seasons at the University of Nevada (NCAA) and played 54 games, but never averaged more than 2,7ppg for Steve Alford. How tough was this experience and what positives could you gain from it?

Playing at Nevada was a reality check for me, at first it was a tough experience especially being away from home the first time. I had to grow up quick. Steve Alford is a great coach, always put academics first, showed me tough love but it came from a good place. He showed me that basketball is a business, you have to produce and be a good person. I take some of the lessons he taught me into my overseas career.

You then moved to the University of New Orleans (NCAA), but played only 7 games averaging 3.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.6apg. You played good minutes early and then your season ended. How tough was it for your season to end so early?

Honestly I wasn’t ready for New Orleans mentally, it’s completely opposite of what I am used to. Being the only west coast kid on the team it was hard to adjust, with getting injured and only playing 7 games it was tough. I didn’t know what my recovery time was going be or what school I was going to go to next. I did make great relationships while I was there and ended up graduating with my bachelors from New Orleans but it was bittersweet leaving there.

You then moved to California State University San Bernardino (NCAA2) averaging 8.3ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 60.6%, FT: 65.8% and 14.0ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 77.4%. You made a big jump in your game in your second season. How did your game grow there?

I signed to CSUSB late actually, they had their team set already but just needed a big man. I met with Coach Newman on a visit and he was aware of the versatility I brought but told me he didn’t necessarily need all of my game. He needed an inside presence for that year and I understood. I would say my game grew because I was given the keys to the team. I was finally able to showcase my full skillset my second year and I just ran with it. I appreciate Coach Gus letting me run free.

You reached the NCAA 2 Final 4 twice. Which run do you remember being the most memorable for you?

The most memorable out of the 2 runs to the final four would be the second a lot. A lot of people wrote off CSUSB because we only had 3 returners and a brand new coaching staff. We shocked a lot of people that year.

You had many great games CSU San Bernardino like netting 23 points in an exciting 75-73 win over Chico State. What was your fondest moment there?

I would have to say my fondest moment at CSUSB would be finding out I was an All American my second year. Going from a second team all league player to one of the best players in the country was surreal to me. I was really proud myself for sticking with it and getting my masters a month later was the best accomplishment of my life.

How did head coach Andy Newman and Gus Argenal give you that last push to prepare you for a professional career?

It’s funny because Newman and Gus are two completely different types of coaches but they told me ‘don’t be a problem’ ‘always be on time’ ‘be a great teammate ‘ and most important ‘be coachable’ I still talk to both coaches from time to time. They both have had a huge impact on my life and I’m happy to see them both coaching at the division 1 level.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Mahmoud Fofana?

I don’t think we ever got the chance to play one on one but I see he’s been doing well at Cal state Northridge under Coach Newman. He’s going be a great pro next year.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Sam Merrill, I think he’s with the Cleveland Cavs now, man he’s always been able to shoot the ball at a very high clip. Didn’t surprise me when I saw he was in the NBA.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Jazz Johnson, Jalen Harris, Khristion Courseault, Malik Morgan. Rog Stein

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan. Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan

Who is your GOAT?

LeBron James is the GOAT

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

I have not seen the sequel to coming to America. Sounds like you don’t recommend it.

Thanks Robbie for the chat.