History of Mitchell Robinson in Timeline

Mitchell Robinson III is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the New York Knicks in the NBA. Noted for being selected 36th overall in the 2018 NBA draft, Robinson garnered early attention for his unconventional decision to forgo college basketball at Western Kentucky University. Instead of playing collegiately during the 2017-2018 season, he opted to focus solely on individual training, marking a unique path to the professional level.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1965: Willis Reed accomplishment

In 1965, Willis Reed recorded 19 points and 21 rebounds in a game.

April 1, 1998: Mitchell Robinson III Born

On April 1, 1998, Mitchell Robinson III was born. He is an American professional basketball player.

Others born on this day/year

February 2017: Recruiting coup

In February 2017, Jason Frakes wrote that Robinson "may go down as the biggest recruiting coup in WKU basketball history." Robinson had originally committed to play college basketball at Texas A&M, but then de-committed to follow coach Rick Stansbury to Western Kentucky.

July 2017: Suspension and Transfer Release

In July 2017, Mitchell Robinson had enrolled at Western Kentucky University for the summer semester, practiced with the team for about two weeks, was suspended indefinitely for violating team rules, and was then granted a release to transfer.

August 2017: Visits to Universities and Return to Western Kentucky

In August 2017, with the hope of a waiver from the NCAA, Mitchell Robinson visited Louisiana State University, University of Kansas, and the University of New Orleans. On August 27, 2017, he returned to Western Kentucky.

2017: Training on his own

In 2017, Mitchell Robinson dedicated the entire 2017–18 season for training on his own, being the first player to make such a decision.

2017: McDonald's All-American Game & Jordan Brand Classic

In 2017, Mitchell Robinson played in the McDonald's All-American Boys Game, scoring 14 points. He also participated in the 2017 Jordan Brand Classic, where he scored 15 points.

2017: United States national under-19 team

In 2017, Mitchell Robinson was named to the preliminary roster of the United States national under-19 team, but did not make the final cut for the 12-man squad for the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup.

June 21, 2018: Drafted by the New York Knicks

On June 21, 2018, Mitchell Robinson was selected with the 36th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the New York Knicks.

July 8, 2018: Signed with the Knicks

On July 8, 2018, Mitchell Robinson signed a multi-year, rookie-scale contract with the New York Knicks after playing in the 2018 NBA Summer League.

2018: Forgoing College for NBA Draft

In 2018, Mitchell Robinson announced he would forgo college and prepare for the 2018 NBA draft on his own accord. He was barred from participating in the NBA G League later in the season due to G League rules.

2018: NBA Draft and Training

In 2018, Mitchell Robinson was selected with the 36th overall pick in the NBA draft. He also gained national coverage for dedicating the entire 2017–18 season to training on his own after withdrawing from Western Kentucky University.

March 28, 2019: Season Highs vs. Raptors

On March 28, 2019, Mitchell Robinson recorded season highs of 19 points and 21 rebounds in the Knicks' loss to the Toronto Raptors, becoming the first Knicks rookie since Willis Reed in 1965 to record 19 points and 21 rebounds in a game.