It was somewhat surprising to see James Robinson not make the final cut for the USA Basketball U19 squad. After all, Robinson was a member of the gold-medal winning U18 squad from last year. The U19 coaching staff was the same from the U18 squad. Yet Robinson was essentially beaten out for a roster spot by Elfrid Payton of Lousiana-Lafayette.
The U19 squad is only bringing four true guards. Marcus Smart of Oklahoma State was a lock. Nearly as much of a lock, Rasheed Sulaimon from Duke and Michael Frazier. Frazier just happens to be on Billy Donovan’s –the U19 head coach — Florida squad.
Robinson made it past the initial cut-down from 26 to 16. Guards like Rodney Purvis (NC State), Kris Dunn (Providence) and Javan Felix (Texas) were among the first to go. But on the final cut, the U19 coaches opted for guards that not only played defense, but were also scorers. Hence Ryan Arcidiacono of Villanova didn’t make the final cut either.
Robinson’s shooting — especially from outside — likely played a significant role in not making this squad. Except for Payton, all of the guards making the squad shot 3s at 40% or better. And while Payton’s 32.0% 3-point shooting isn’t far from Robinson’s 31.3%; Payton shot 47.5% overall compared to only 36.8% by Robinson.
It’s not all bad that Robinson will be on campus all summer. The Kentucky players all turned down even going to tryouts in the name of getting more time together in Lexington.
I think playing on the U19 squad would be beneficial, but with all the changes to the roster from this past year it really can’t hurt for Pitt’s starting point guard to get all the time possible with the new teammates. On and off-the-court.
I like him as a player, but Pitt can’t win more than a game or two in a tourney with James as your #2 player. Heck, I was more impressed with Levance as a freshman. James is a nice player, but he is the definition of complimentary. He is a 4 year role player. The delusions of grandeur with him need to stop now.
who have offers the site lists things like med intrest.
but that site does not say if they have a offer
the site i like lists if they have a offer not if they are intrested
i think it is panthet degest or panther lair i think it says front page
“Dixon doesn’t strike me as the type to change, in fact I see him as extreme in his rigidity and very unlikely to change. I also think he would have little likelihood of success outside of what he already does.”
Well-stated. If what you write proves true again, we are in for a long season coming up.
I’m on Lane Avenue now and will be near the stadium around 2 pm on Thursday.
Pitt landed a bunch of recruits today and if we offered guys not looked at by other schools all I can say in return is DION!
he worked out very well indeed.
