James Robinson (basketball)
Encyclopedia
James "Hollywood" Robinson (born August 31, 1970 in Jackson, Mississippi
) is a former American
professional basketball
player, most notably in the NBA
.
Robinson, an undersized 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) shooting guard
, attended the University of Alabama
before being selected with the 21st overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft
by the Portland Trail Blazers
.
, who went on to collegiate stardom at Louisiana State and NBA fame with the Denver Nuggets
. As a junior at Alabama
in 1992-93, Robinson led the Crimson Tide
with 20.6 points per game, also tallying 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest, and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference First Team. He set a school record by scoring 20 or more points in 12 straight games and became the first junior in Crimson Tide history to surpass 1,500 career points (he finished with 1,831). During his college career he played with two future NBA players, Latrell Sprewell
and Robert Horry
.
Robinson's scoring average was the highest at Alabama since Buck Johnson
's 20.7 in 1986. After such a stellar year, Robinson elected to pass up his senior season and enter the 1993 NBA Draft
.
, where he finished in last place (6th). He also has the distinction of being one of three Robinsons that the Portland Trail Blazers
had on its roster in the 1995-96 NBA season
, the others being Clifford Robinson
and Rumeal Robinson
. Robinson's importance in Portland increased from 1994–96, as Clyde Drexler
was traded to Houston
midway through 1994-95 and Terry Porter
was often injured the following season. After that season, he was traded, along with Bill Curley
and a conditional first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves
, for Isaiah Rider.
As a Timberwolf, Robinson achieved roughly the same averages than his final two Portland years, albeit in less playing time. In 1997-98, he signed as a free agent
with the Los Angeles Clippers
, and posted similar numbers (almost 8 ppg in 84 games). Waived in March 1999, he would rejoin the Timberwolves, with little impact.
Midway through 2000-01, after one season of absence, Robinson served a ten-day contract with the Orlando Magic
, eventually his last NBA stint.
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
) is a former American
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, most notably in the NBA
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...
.
Robinson, an undersized 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) shooting 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...
, attended the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
before being selected with the 21st overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft
1993 NBA Draft
The 1993 NBA Draft took place on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The draft had some talented players at the top, but injuries and personal problems hurt many of them. Anfernee Hardaway, Allan Houston, and Jamal Mashburn all looked like possible Hall of Famers until their careers were cut...
by the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
.
High school & college
As a Mississippi high school star at Murrah H.S., Robinson competed against Chris JacksonMahmoud Abdul-Rauf
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is an American professional basketball player.-Life and career:Abdul-Rauf was born in Gulfport, Mississippi. After a record-setting college career at Louisiana State University, he was selected with the third pick in the 1990 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets...
, who went on to collegiate stardom at Louisiana State and NBA fame with the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
. As a junior at Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
in 1992-93, Robinson led the Crimson Tide
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
with 20.6 points per game, also tallying 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest, and was named to the All-Southeastern Conference First Team. He set a school record by scoring 20 or more points in 12 straight games and became the first junior in Crimson Tide history to surpass 1,500 career points (he finished with 1,831). During his college career he played with two future NBA players, Latrell Sprewell
Latrell Sprewell
Latrell Fontaine Sprewell is a former American professional basketball player. During his time as a professional, Sprewell was named to the NBA All-Star game during four seasons, and played for the Golden State Warriors, the New York Knicks, and the Minnesota Timberwolves...
and Robert Horry
Robert Horry
Robert Keith Horry Jr. is a retired American basketball player and current sports commentator. He played 16 seasons in the National Basketball Association , winning seven championships, the most of any player not to have played on the 1960s Boston Celtics...
.
Robinson's scoring average was the highest at Alabama since Buck Johnson
Buck Johnson
Alphonso "Buck" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Houston Rockets in the 1st round of the 1986 NBA Draft. A 6'7" forward from the University of Alabama, Johnson played in 7 NBA seasons from 1986 to 1993...
's 20.7 in 1986. After such a stellar year, Robinson elected to pass up his senior season and enter the 1993 NBA Draft
1993 NBA Draft
The 1993 NBA Draft took place on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The draft had some talented players at the top, but injuries and personal problems hurt many of them. Anfernee Hardaway, Allan Houston, and Jamal Mashburn all looked like possible Hall of Famers until their careers were cut...
.
NBA
After an uneventful first professional season (58 games with 11 minutes per game), although he did compete in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest at the NBA All-Star WeekendNBA All-Star Weekend
The National Basketball Association holds an All-Star Weekend every February, the festival has a variety of basketball-related events, exhibitions, and performances culminating in the NBA All-Star Game held on Sunday night.-The All-Star Game:...
, where he finished in last place (6th). He also has the distinction of being one of three Robinsons that the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
had on its roster in the 1995-96 NBA season
1995-96 NBA season
The 1995–96 NBA season was the 50th season of the National Basketball Association , although the league didn't celebrate this anniversary until the following season...
, the others being Clifford Robinson
Clifford R. Robinson
Clifford "Cliff" Ralph Robinson is a former American professional basketball player, formerly of the National Basketball Association.-Highlights:...
and Rumeal Robinson
Rumeal Robinson
Rumeal James Robinson is a retired American professional basketball player. Growing up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Robinson graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School and went on to play guard for the University of Michigan...
. Robinson's importance in Portland increased from 1994–96, as Clyde Drexler
Clyde Drexler
Clyde Austin "Clyde The Glide" Drexler is a former National Basketball Association shooting guard and small forward. A ten-time All-Star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, the NBA named him one of basketball's fifty greatest players as of 1996. Drexler won an Olympic gold medal in 1992 and...
was traded to Houston
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
midway through 1994-95 and Terry Porter
Terry Porter
Terry Porter is an American professional basketball coach and former player in the National Basketball Association . A native of Wisconsin, he played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point before being drafted 24th by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1985 NBA Draft...
was often injured the following season. After that season, he was traded, along with Bill Curley
Bill Curley
William Michael 'Bill' Curley is a retired American professional basketball player, formerly in the National Basketball Association.-High school/college career:...
and a conditional first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
, for Isaiah Rider.
As a Timberwolf, Robinson achieved roughly the same averages than his final two Portland years, albeit in less playing time. In 1997-98, he 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 Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, and posted similar numbers (almost 8 ppg in 84 games). Waived in March 1999, he would rejoin the Timberwolves, with little impact.
Midway through 2000-01, after one season of absence, Robinson served a ten-day contract with the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
, eventually his last NBA stint.
Career statistics
| Season | Team | G | FG% | 3P% | FT% | OR | DR | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-94 | POR | 58 | .365 | .315 | .672 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 4.8 |
| 1994-95 | POR | 71 | .409 | .341 | .591 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 9.2 |
| 1995-96 | POR | 76 | .399 | .359 | .659 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 8.5 |
| 1996-97 | MIN | 69 | .407 | .382 | .684 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 8.3 |
| 1997-98 | LAC | 70 | .389 | .329 | .720 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 7.7 |
| 1998-99 | LAC | 14 | .398 | .267 | .741 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 7.6 |
| 1998-99 | MIN | 17 | .322 | .295 | .571 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 4.5 |
| 2000-01 | ORL | 6 | .364 | .400 | n/a | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.7 |
Trades and contracts
- 7/23/1996 – Traded by the Blazers with Bill Curley and a conditional first round draft pick in 1997 or 1998 to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Isaiah "J.R." Rider.
- 8/16/1997 – Signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Clippers; 3/18/1999 – waived
- 3/26/1999 – Signed to the first of two consecutive 10-day contracts by the Minnesota Timberwolves; 4/17/1999 – signed for the remainder of the season