Eddie Robinson (basketball)


Eddie B. Robinson Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. A shooting guard/small forward, he spent five seasons in the National Basketball Association. In April 2017, Robinson was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Professional career

NBA years

After attending the University of Central Oklahoma, Robinson signed as an undrafted free agent with the NBA's Charlotte Hornets in 1999. Known primarily for his leaping ability and athleticism, he averaged 7.2 points per game over two seasons as a reserve with the Hornets and attracted the attention of Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause, who felt that Robinson could become a star if given more playing time. Krause signed Robinson to a 5-year, US$32 million contract in 2001. In 2004, John Paxson, who replaced Krause as Bulls' general manager in 2003, convinced Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf to buy out the last two years of Robinson's contract.

D-League

On November 2, 2006 Robinson was selected by the Idaho Stampede with the 16th overall pick in the 2006 NBDL Draft. In the 2006-07 season Robinson averaged more than 15 points for the Idaho Stampede. After the season, he was released. On November 7, 2008, he was selected with the 14th pick in the fifth round of the 2008 NBA D-League Draft by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. However, he did not come to a contract agreement.

NBL Canada

On September 19, 2011, it was announced that Robinson had signed with the Halifax Rainmen of the National Basketball League of Canada for the 2011-12 season. However, he was placed in the injured reserve November 1. He played his first game with the Rainmen against the Oshawa Power on November 27, 2011. Robinson scored 18 points during his debut. He departed the team in January 2012.

Big3

On June 25, 2017, Robinson made his debut as a reserve player for the Killer 3's in Ice Cube's Big 3 Basketball League. Prior to the July 9 game in Tulsa, OK, Robinson was removed from the reserve and activated as a player on the Killer 3's squad for the remainder of the season.