What a 24 hours it’s been.
Heading into Wednesday’s NBA Draft withdrawal deadline, the Kentucky Wildcats were set to get a decision from BYU guard Jaxson Robinson. It was anyone’s guess as to whether he’d stay in the draft or return to college, but somehow, a third option emerged in that Robinson didn’t announce any decision.
Yes, the 12 am ET deadline came and went with no announcement from Robinson, leaving all of Big Blue Nation in shock and confusion.
Thankfully, Robinson made his announcement Thursday that he’d withdrawn from the draft and committed to the Cats!
The Kansas Jayhawks were also in contention, as was a return to the Cougars. But in the end, Mark Pope was able to get Robinson to Lexington after helping the former Texas A&M/Arkansas transfer reach his potential in Provo.
Surprisingly, Robinson becomes the first former BYU player to join Pope at Kentucky. You’d have thought Pope would bring several Cougars with him, but most of them opted to remain at BYU, while two ended up at Louisville of all places.
Thankfully, Kentucky got the best one, as Robinson was the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year last season and will now be a strong contender to be an All-SEC performer next year. This also puts Kentucky at 12 scholarship spots for next season.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the big news, including Cody Fueger’s signature ‘BOOM!’
— Cody Fueger (@Cody_Fueger) May 30, 2024
Jaxson Robinson with the ultimate “BOOM!”, featuring a young Cody Fueger pic.twitter.com/EKnVJGiQe4
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) May 30, 2024
— BigBlueTheory (@BigBlueTheory) May 30, 2024
Jaxson Robinson is headed to Kentucky! Mark Pope gets a 6’7 perimeter scorer who is deadly from the line. The advanced stats love him. https://t.co/P84CWF8RJC pic.twitter.com/anedyqG9Jr
— Bucknell Sports Analytics (@BuckAnalytics) May 30, 2024
Will Kentucky add more after the addition of Jaxson Robinson? #bbn #weareuk #ukbasketball #pope#untdwestnd #thecoachryanreport pic.twitter.com/at7j8xlci7
— Coach Ryan (@CoachRyanKY) May 30, 2024
Amari Williams catches it in the trail spot, dribbles to his right as Andrew Carr sets the downscreen for Jaxson Robinson, the defense jumps out to switch because they almost HAVE to due to the elite shooting ability of everyone involved, Robinson stops on a dime and bangs the 3. pic.twitter.com/IdZ1oUt1NB
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) May 30, 2024
With Jaxson Robinson, Kentucky's nine transfers made a combined 424 of 1,069 3-point attempts last season. That's 39.7 percent, which would've ranked fourth nationally last season. The NCAA leader in made 3s had 427. An abundance of shooting for Mark Pope's first team at UK.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) May 30, 2024
— Connor. (@C0NB0NNN) May 30, 2024Last piece of the puzzle for Kentucky.
They have now added a three-level scorer with Jaxson Robinson.
Kentucky has elite defenders, elite shooters, and experience.
Not really many, if any, holes in the roster.
Me watching the national media back peddle on their rankings after Jaxson Robinson commits to Kentucky! #BBN pic.twitter.com/g9Vw9Gi0Jx
— Mark Pope Stan (@BaconM00n) May 30, 2024
Notable: In BYU's six best wins last season (Kansas, Baylor, Texas, Iowa State, San Diego State, NC State), Jaxson Robinson averaged 16.8 points, shot 41.5% from 3 and hit 16 of 17 free throws.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) May 30, 2024
— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) May 30, 2024BYU’s Jaxson Robinson has withdrawn from the 2024 NBA Draft and will follow Coach Mark Pope to Kentucky.
We caught up with Jaxson to discuss his breakout season, appreciation for Coach Pope, his continued development, and the pros he studies.
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) May 30, 2024Kentucky’s 2024-25 roster with just 1 slot left:
PG: Lamont Butler, Kerr Krissa
SG: Jaxson Robinson, Koby Brea, Colin Chandler, Travis Perry
SF: Otega Oweh, Trent Noah
PF: Andrew Carr, Ansley Almonor
C: Amari Williams, Brandon GarrisonThe key will be how all the pieces mesh,…
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) May 30, 2024Now with the addition of Jaxson Robinson, not sure how you can classify this offseason as anything less than a homerun for Mark Pope.
Add Will Riley as a 2024 or 2025 piece and it's a grand slam IMO when you also factor in the staff hires. https://t.co/G9AoVjukMH
— Alvin Brooks III (@Coach_AB3) May 30, 2024️BBN
️ @KentuckyMBB IS JUST DIFFERENT #BBN #ItsJustDifferent pic.twitter.com/0BwSF2DclU
Who’s in the house tonight? pic.twitter.com/MyNTROtauh
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) May 30, 2024
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