Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Duncan Robinson

Discover the career path of Duncan Robinson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Duncan Robinson is an American professional basketball player currently with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA. He initially played college basketball at Williams College (NCAA Division III), leading them to the 2014 championship game. He then transferred to the University of Michigan (NCAA Division I), where he was a member of the team that reached the 2018 NCAA Division I tournament final. He played for the Miami Heat from 2018-2024 before signing with the Pistons in 2024.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 15, 2013: Season Opener Against Southern Vermont College

On November 15, 2013, prior to the season opener against Southern Vermont College, Williams was ranked third among Division III teams in the preseason poll. Robinson became the only freshman starter in Maker's six-year tenure as head coach at Williams.

December 2014: Broke Michigan Wolverines Practice Record

In December 2014, while redshirting for the Michigan Wolverines, Duncan Robinson broke Nik Stauskas' Michigan Wolverines practice record for three-pointers in a drill with 78 successful shots.

November 16, 2015: Second Game for Michigan Wolverines

On November 16, 2015, in his second game for the Michigan Wolverines, Duncan Robinson scored 19 points on 6–6 shooting (5–5 three-point shots) from the floor against Elon.

December 2015: Led Big Ten in three-point shooting percentage

From December 2015 until early February 2016, Duncan Robinson led the Big Ten Conference in three-point shooting percentage (.450).

February 2016: Led Big Ten in three-point shooting percentage

From December 2015 until early February 2016, Duncan Robinson led the Big Ten Conference in three-point shooting percentage (.450).

2016: Big Ten and NCAA Tournament Performances

In March 2016, during Michigan's Big Ten Conference tournament and the First Four round of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, Duncan Robinson had notable performances, including a game-tying three-point shot against Northwestern, another against Indiana, and his first double-double as a Wolverine against Tulsa. He finished the season second in three-point field goal percentage among Big Ten players.

November 11, 2017: Team-high 21 points against North Florida

On November 11, 2017, Duncan Robinson started his senior season with a team-high 21 points against North Florida. He and Charles Matthews became the first Michigan teammates since March 3, 2015, to each score 20 points in a game.

2017: Conference Tournament Champion

In 2017, Duncan Robinson was a member of conference tournament champions

2017: Big Ten Tournament Win and Podcast Launch

In 2017, Duncan Robinson's team won the Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament and reached the sweet sixteen round of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Late in the season, he began producing "The Dak and Dunc Show" podcast with teammate Andrew Dakich for WCBN-FM Sports.

July 10, 2018: Signed two-way contract with Miami Heat and Sioux Falls Skyforce

On July 10, 2018, after going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft and a strong performance in the NBA Summer League, Duncan Robinson agreed to a two-way contract with the Miami Heat and Sioux Falls Skyforce.

September 25, 2018: Heat's formal training camp

Although the Heat's formal training camp did not begin until September 25, 2018, Robinson declined an invitation to participate as part of the G League-manned squad that Team USA used from September 6 through September 17 to qualify for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup so that he could participate in informal developmental training with the Heat.

2018: Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year

Following the 2017–18 Big Ten Conference regular season, Robinson was named the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year by the coaches in 2018.

February 25, 2019: First NBA start against Phoenix Suns

On February 25, 2019, Duncan Robinson scored five points in his first NBA start against the Phoenix Suns.

December 10, 2019: Career-high 34 points

On December 10, 2019, Duncan Robinson scored an NBA career-high 34 points, making 10 three-pointers, that tied a Heat franchise record for three-pointers made in a game, in a 135–121 overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks. In that game teammate Kendrick Nunn added 36 points, establishing an NBA record for points by an undrafted duo (70).

December 13, 2019: "Most improbable player in the NBA"

Following his performance, on December 13, 2019, The Wall Street Journal called Duncan Robinson "the most improbable player in the NBA" and "one of the best shooters on the planet" in an article.

February 12, 2020: Fastest to 200 NBA three-point shots

On February 12, 2020, Duncan Robinson posted his 200th NBA three-point shot in just his 69th career game, the fastest in NBA history, surpassing Donovan Mitchell and Luka Dončić (84 games).

March 6, 2020: New Heat single-season three-pointers record

On March 6, 2020, Duncan Robinson scored 24 points and had five rebounds and four assists in a 110–104 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. His eight three pointers raised his single-season total to 233 with 19 games remaining, passing Wayne Ellington's single-season Heat three-pointers record (227), Damon Jones's NBA undrafted player single-season three-pointers record (225), and Kyle Korver's NBA single-season record for most by a first or second year player (226).

December 25, 2020: Tied NBA Christmas Day record

On December 25, 2020, Duncan Robinson made seven three-point shots, which tied Brandon Ingram for the NBA Christmas Day record that was equaled hours later by Kyrie Irving. This record was surpassed the next year by Patty Mills. Six of those were made in the first half, setting an NBA Christmas Day single-half record.

2020: Heat reach the 2020 NBA Finals

In 2020, Duncan Robinson helped the Heat reach the 2020 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, where he again made seven three-point shots in game 5, which broke Gary Neal's NBA Finals record for undrafted players, as Miami staved off elimination. The Heat lost in six games.

May 1, 2021: Fastest to 500 career three-pointers

On May 1, 2021, Duncan Robinson recorded his 500th career three-pointer in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the fastest player to reach the milestone in just 152 games, surpassing the previous record of 187 games set by Dončić.

August 6, 2021: Signed a five-year, $90 million deal with the Heat

On August 6, 2021, Duncan Robinson signed a five-year, $90 million deal to stay with the Heat, the largest contract in NBA history for an undrafted player, surpassing Fred VanVleet's 4-year/$85 million deal the year before.

February 17, 2022: Robinson made his 700th three-point shot

On February 17, 2022 against the Charlotte Hornets, in his 216th game, Robinson made his 700th three-point shot, surpassing Buddy Hield's (269 games) NBA record.

March 3, 2022: Robinson Achieves Regular Season High Assists

On March 3, 2022 against the Brooklyn Nets, Duncan Robinson reached his previous regular season high of 7 assists.

April 17, 2022: Robinson Scores 27 Points and Sets Heat Postseason Record

On April 17, 2022, Duncan Robinson scored 27 points off the bench and set a Heat franchise record with eight three-pointers in a 115–91 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs. Robinson tied J. R. Smith for the second most three pointers by an NBA reserve in the post season. He was highly efficient, shooting 9 for 10 from the field and 8 for 9 from beyond the arc, making his last seven three-point attempts.

December 26, 2022: Robinson Reaches 800 Career Three-Pointers

On December 26, 2022, Duncan Robinson made his 800th three-pointer in his 263rd game, achieving this milestone faster than any other player in NBA history, surpassing Doncic. The game resulted in a 113–110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

December 16, 2023: Robinson Breaks Record for 900 Career Three-Point Shots

On December 16, 2023, in his 305th NBA game, Duncan Robinson surpassed the record previously shared by Doncic and Hield, reaching 900 career three-point shots in fewer games, during a game against the Chicago Bulls.

2023: Reached the NBA Finals

In 2023, Duncan Robinson helped the Miami Heat reach the NBA Finals.

July 7, 2025: Robinson Signs with Detroit Pistons

On July 7, 2025, Duncan Robinson signed a three-year, $48 million contract with the Detroit Pistons through a sign-and-trade agreement with the Heat, in exchange for Simone Fontecchio.

2025: Death of Eli Robinson and Establishment of Foundation

In 2025, Duncan Robinson's older brother, Eli, died by suicide following a schizophrenia diagnosis. In response, Robinson and his family established the Robinson Family Foundation to support mental health initiatives.