Eddie Robinson (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Eddie B. Robinson Jr. is an American
professional basketball
player currently playing for the Halifax Rainmen of the National Basketball League of Canada
. A 6 in 8 in (2.03 m) guard
/forward
, he spent five seasons (1999–2004) in the National Basketball Association
(NBA). He was nicknamed E-Rob.
After attending the University of Central Oklahoma
, Robinson signed as a free agent
with the NBA's Charlotte Hornets
in 1999. Known primarily for his leaping ability and athleticism, he averaged 7.2 points per game over two seasons as a reserve with the Hornets and attracted the attention of Chicago Bulls
' GM
Jerry Krause
, who felt that Robinson could become a star if given more playing time. Krause signed Robinson to a 5-year, US$
32 million contract in 2001. To the chagrin of the Bulls' organization, Robinson failed to meet expectations. He never averaged more than 9.0 points in a season for the Bulls and he missed 102 games in his first three years due to injuries, poor conditioning
, and feuds with his coaches. In 2004, John Paxson
, who replaced Krause as Bulls' general manager in 2003, convinced Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf
to buy out the last two years of Robinson's contract. Robinson has not played in the NBA since the buy-out.
with the 16th overall pick in the 2006 NBDL
Draft. In the 2006-07 season Robinson averaged more than 15 points for the Idaho Stampede. After the season, he was released. On November 7, 2008, he was selected with the 14th pick in the fifth round of the 2008 NBA D-League
Draft by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds
. However, he was not given a contract.
for the 2011-12 season. However, he was placed in the injured reserve November 1. He played his first game with the Rainmen against the Oshawa Power on November 27, 2011. Robinson scored 18 points during his debut.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player currently playing for the Halifax Rainmen of the National Basketball League of Canada
National Basketball League of Canada
The National Basketball League of Canada is a Canadian professional men's basketball league founded in 2011. For the first season, three teams formerly of the Premier Basketball League have joined, with four expansion teams officially joining to form the NBL's "Original Seven".-Current:These are...
. A 6 in 8 in (2.03 m) guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
/forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
, he spent five seasons (1999–2004) in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA). He was nicknamed E-Rob.
After attending the University of Central Oklahoma
University of Central Oklahoma
The University of Central Oklahoma, often referred to as UCO, is a coeducational public university located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The university is the third largest in Oklahoma, with almost 18,000 students and approximately 434 full-time and 400 adjunct faculty...
, Robinson signed as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
with the NBA's Charlotte Hornets
New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
The New Orleans Hornets are a professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association. The franchise began play during the 1988–89 NBA season as the Charlotte Hornets, based in Charlotte,...
in 1999. Known primarily for his leaping ability and athleticism, he averaged 7.2 points per game over two seasons as a reserve with the Hornets and attracted the attention of Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
' GM
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Jerry Krause
Jerry Krause
Jerry Krause is a former professional basketball scout and general manager for, among other franchises, the Baltimore Bullets and, most notably, the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association. He is a two-time recipient of the NBA's Executive of the Year award.-Early career:Krause was...
, who felt that Robinson could become a star if given more playing time. Krause signed Robinson to a 5-year, US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
32 million contract in 2001. To the chagrin of the Bulls' organization, Robinson failed to meet expectations. He never averaged more than 9.0 points in a season for the Bulls and he missed 102 games in his first three years due to injuries, poor conditioning
Physical exercise
Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed for various reasons including strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance, as well as for the purpose of...
, and feuds with his coaches. In 2004, John Paxson
John Paxson
John MacBeth Paxson is a retired American basketball player. He is currently the VP of Basketball Operations of the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls.-High school career:...
, who replaced Krause as Bulls' general manager in 2003, convinced Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf
Jerry Reinsdorf
Jerry M. Reinsdorf is a CPA, lawyer and an owner of the MLB's Chicago White Sox and the NBA's Chicago Bulls. He started his professional life as a tax attorney with the Internal Revenue Service. He has been the head of the White Sox and Bulls for over 20 years.He made his initial fortune in real...
to buy out the last two years of Robinson's contract. Robinson has not played in the NBA since the buy-out.
D-League
On November 2, 2006 Robinson was selected by the Idaho StampedeIdaho Stampede
The Idaho Stampede is an American basketball team that plays in the NBA Development League. The team is based in the Boise, Idaho, area and as of 2005 plays at the CenturyLink Arena in Boise. The team was founded as a member of the Continental Basketball Association in 1997 and was league runner-up...
with the 16th overall pick in the 2006 NBDL
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
Draft. In the 2006-07 season Robinson averaged more than 15 points for the Idaho Stampede. After the season, he was released. On November 7, 2008, he was selected with the 14th pick in the fifth round of the 2008 NBA D-League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
Draft by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Albuquerque Thunderbirds
The New Mexico Thunderbirds were a professional NBA Development League minor league basketball team which played from 2005-2011. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Thunderbirds first played their home games at Tingley Coliseum as the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, then played at the Santa Ana Star...
. However, he was not given a contract.
NBL Canada
On September 19, 2011, it was announced that Robinson had signed with the Halifax Rainmen of the National Basketball League of CanadaNational Basketball League of Canada
The National Basketball League of Canada is a Canadian professional men's basketball league founded in 2011. For the first season, three teams formerly of the Premier Basketball League have joined, with four expansion teams officially joining to form the NBL's "Original Seven".-Current:These are...
for the 2011-12 season. However, he was placed in the injured reserve November 1. He played his first game with the Rainmen against the Oshawa Power on November 27, 2011. Robinson scored 18 points during his debut.
External links
- Career statistics at basketball-reference.com
- "Robinson all but gone", October 2004 Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-TimesThe Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
article by Lacy J. Banks