Jerome Robinson, A Marksman Shooting Up NBA Draft Boards: (Scouting Report)

Jerome Robinson is a marksman. However, in comparison to the top guns of the 2018 NBA Draft, he’s a relatively unknown NBA Draft prospect to the casual basketball fan. But mark my words, his obscurity won’t last too much longer. Soon the rest of the basketball world will know one of the 2018 NBA Draft’s best kept secrets (or not so secret to NBA executives and draft pundits).

So what will you find on the scouting report for one of the NBA Draft’s best kept secrets?

Measurements

At the NBA combine, Robinson measured up at six feet five inches tall and weighed in at 188.4 pounds. His wingspan spreads to 6’ 7.25” and his standing reach, eight feet two inches.

Offensive Efficiency

Robinson is a guard that can play with or without the ball in hand. He’s an offensively efficient prospect. With a total of 249 made field goals, Robinson ranked 22nd in the NCAA for the season (2017-2018). He also ranked 36th in field goal attempts (513) and 129th in NCAA field goal percentage.

Putting the rock in the hole

In addition to being efficient, Robinson is a natural born scorer. He put a total of 725 points on the board and ranked 19th in the NCAA. His average of 20.7 points per game, ranked him 33rd.

Robinson scores from close range, mid range and downtown. His jump shot is his bread and butter. However, he’s capable of scoring in other ways as well. Robinson will put points on the board by attacking off the dribble, with off ball movement, scoring in transition or getting to the foul line.

Robinson scored a season high of 46 points against Notre Dame on February 6, 2018. He shot 65.2 percent from the floor, on 15-23 shooting. Robinson buried seven out of his twelve three-pointers attempted. He also connected on all nine of his free throw attempts.

Close Range Scoring

Robinson scores at the basket by attacking off the dribble, with off ball movement and by finishing in transition.

His dribble drives come off the face up and handoffs. With an above average handle, Robinson penetrates in both directions, with or without screens. He attacks on a straight line or changes direction and gears with in & outs, crossovers, hesitations and spin moves.

Robinson is capable of beating his defender off the dribble. He also has a decent set of springs. At the rim, he’s capable of drawing fouls and has the ability to finish with acrobatic lay-ups (both hands) or above the rim with athletic dunks (can also catch and finish lobs).

Midrange and Long Distance Scoring

Robinson has a smooth stroke. He buries shots off the catch & shoot and creates separation off the dribble (with or without screens). His off ball movement is solid. He’s a tough cover. He connects from midrange and long distance. His range extends out to NBA territory.

Robinson is dangerous off the pin down and curls. Effective with the mid-range jumper. Solid from the foul line area. He can be lights out from downtown as well.

For the season, Robinson made 81 three pointers and ranked 133rd in the NCAA. He ranked 177th with 198 attempted. His average of 2.31 made three pointers per game ranked 185th.

Scoring From The Charity Stripe

Robinson has steadily improved as a foul shooter. He has shown significant improvement from the charity stripe each year. His percentages have risen from .643 (2015-2016) to .722 (2016-2017) to .830 (2017-2018).

Robinson made 146 free throws and ranked 82nd for the 2017-2018 season. He attempted 176 and ranked 118th. His .830 free throw percentage, ranked him at #121 in the NCAA.

Passing

Robinson has decent vision. He has the ability to find and create for others. His ability to drive, draw and dish allows him to find bigs at the basket and shooters (mid and long distance). A total of 116 assists, ranked Robinson 227th in the NCAA.

Defense

Despite his effort, Robinson’s defensive contribution won’t stand out on a stat sheet. Outside of his 3.1 defensive rebounds per game, his basic defensive stats are modest at best.

However, Robinson has some hustle to his game. He’ll dive for loose balls and get into passing lanes. His gambles don’t always pay off but he’s capable of deflecting passes and turning defense into offense. For the season Robinson tallied 30 steals and averaged 0.9 per game.

Robinson rarely blocks shots. But will slide his feet and contest shots off the dribble, on closeouts and in transition. On occasion he bites on shots fakes and fails to stop or stay in front of dribble drives. For the season he blocked a total of five and averaged 0.1 per game.

Miscellaneous

For the 2017-2018 season, Robinson ranked 32nd in the NCAA with a total of 1,260 minutes played. He averaged 36 minutes per game and ranked 53rd.

What you can expect from Jerome Robinson at the next level

You can expect to see Robinson drop buckets and knock down jumpers in an entertaining fashion. He has the potential to light up defenders for years to come. But, early in his career, will he be able to stay on the floor in order to do so?

The real challenge for Robinson, will come on the defensive end. Will he improve his ability to defend? Will he be able to stay in front of NBA guards on a consistent basis? And will his future coach leave him on the floor if he doesn’t? All of these questions and more will be answered as we watch the 2018 rookies perform in their first NBA season.

Role/how he can contribute at the next level:

• Scorer
• Shooter

Advantages/Strengths/Positives:

• Scoring
• Shooting
• Efficient offense
• Off ball movement

Areas for improvement/Weakness/Question Marks:

• Defense
• Defending attacks off the dribble

Draft Projection:

• Mid First Round

Notes:

• Birthdate: 2/22/1997 (21)
• Hometown: Raleigh, NC
• 2018 First Team All-ACC
• 2018 ACC regular season scoring leader (24.3 ppg)
• 2018 Runner-up, ACC Player of the Year