While many celebrity kids are running from their parents’ shadows, Justin Robinson is embracing his father’s legacy. The son of famed NBA player David Robinson is headed to Duke University, and has a professional career as a basketball player in his view.
“It makes me work twice as hard, makes me keep my integrity in check, everything,” says Justin of his father’s legacy. The teen decided to attend Duke University, after being offered admission based on his academic performance. Although he was not offered an athletic scholarship for basketball, Justin decided to attend the school anyway and let the coaches make him into an all-star player.
“I would have been a little hesitant to go just as a walk-on if I thought I was going to ride the bench all four or five years,” explains the star of his dilemma of attending the university without an athletic scholarship. “But when I talked to them, they really sounded like they’re going to build me into a player. And in two or three years, they’re going to have me in the rotation. They sounded like they were very confident about giving me a shot, and they believed in me.”
David Robinson knows all about confidence and belief. The former NBA star exhibited both of these traits during his amazing athletic career that saw several championships and spanned more than ten years. David also knows the importance of being in the right place at the right time, which is why he is happy that his son chose Duke.
“I’m excited for him,” says Robinson. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be a part of one of the best basketball programs ever. Whenever you can be around excellence, you should be around it.”
In addition to being transformed into an even better player than he already is, Justin will have the opportunity to earn a scholarship. Although dad admits that the idea of earning an athletic scholarship after being accepted without such incentive is a bit “challenging,” Justin is ready for the battle.
“This is where you find out who you are,” says the budding star. “If you like that kind of a challenge, you’re going to say, ‘I’m going to go compete and I know it’s going to be hard, but I’m going to go compete anyway.’ I was really proud of Justin because he made that decision to compete. That’s half the battle right there.”
Photo: KENS 5 Eyewitness News
