Hey team, @NickaRuss here.
By now most of you are across our plans. Each member of the NBA Nation team has chosen to profile an NBA rookie and follow his season closely. We will look at their development as a player and as a teammate, the good times, the bad times, will share highlights and try and help you know them better through their tweets, instagram snaps, interviews and everything that comes with being a rookie on the worlds greatest stage.
@Nick_A_How has already introduced you to Jared Sullinger of the Boston Celtics who has immense promise and is in a great position to really cement a place in the hearts of those passionate Celtics fans.
@NickoToGo chose Bradley Beal, the gun shooting guard from the Florida Gators who was picked up by the Washington Wizards with the #3 selection at last year’s draft. With John Wall at point, they should form one of the NBA’s most dynamic young backcourts for years to come.
It really wasn’t too hard of a choice for me when it came to finding a rookie to profile. At the start of this year I was living in New York and was fortunate to be right in the middle of the action when March Madness fever hit. As a basketball fan there is really nothing like it. A few players caught my eye during the NCAA tournament, but none more than the star player from the Kansas City Jayhawks, Thomas Robinson. At first look, Thomas Robinson is a dynamic and aggressive 6 ft 8 (listed at 6 ft 10) power forward who’s athleticism and strength makes him an instant impact player in the NBA, but this wasn’t the only reason Thomas Robinson caught the attention of the nation, It was his heartbreaking story of tragedy and the triumph that grew out of the darkness.
In his freshman year at Kansas, Robinson was a little used bench player. His sophomore year saw an improvement in his time and stats, but still, Robinson couldn’t crack a starting spot. Then the worst thing imaginable happened. In the space of 3 weeks, Thomas Robinson lost his Mother, Grandmother and Grandfather, leaving him with no family apart from his younger sister, Jayla. His father had played no great part in their lives. Normally, this would be enough to devastate a young man, but not Robinson. He turned this heartbreaking tragedy into motivation to work as hard as he could to realize his dream and provide for his younger sister. He knew he was destined for the NBA, even if not everyone agreed. We all know what happened. His junior year was a breakout unlike any other. He led the Jayhawks into the NCAA tournament championship game, was named All American and if it wasn’t for Anthony Davis would have been a firm favorite for National Player of the Year. His story had touched the hearts of basketball fans all over the world, me included and I was so ecstatic for him when he was chosen by the Kings with the #5 pick. They must have been jumping for joy when he fell to them. With DeMarcus Cousins to pair with, all of a sudden, the Kings have one scary looking duo in the post. I am extremely excited about the chance to follow Thomas Robinson through his Rookie season at Sacramento. They are going to be very exciting to watch.
So here we go. Ladies and Gentleman…this is Thomas Robinson.
