Robinson springboards into national spotlight

Every spring there are guys like Thomas Robinson that play themselves into the national recruiting picture. The 6-foot-7 forward from Riverdale Baptist in Upper Marlboro, Md. was one of those players.

Robinson shined in Pittsburgh and in Akron for Squash All Beefs, an appropriately named team that tells the tale of the way the team plays. Robinson was the catalyst for the no-nonsense brand of basketball the team portrayed.

"I was hungry. I wanted to get my name out there. I wanted to be considered a top player in the country by playing hard and playing with energy. I wanted to do what I had to do. I didn't want to sell myself short," Robinson said. "It makes things a lot easier when you play like that, if you can believe that."

If you saw him play, it is easy to believe. Robinson doesn't sell his effort short. The Rivals150 prospect said he tried to take advantage of the stage he and his teammates were on.

"Most of the time, if we are playing against people that are supposed to be known as a top player, then that gets me fired up sometimes," Robinson said. "If they are considered a top player, I'd like to play well against them. I want to go out there and out perform them."

Robinson said George Washington (offer) was the only school on him prior to the spring evaluation period. Since them, he said he has heard from NC State, Virginia Tech, Georgia (offer), Kentucky, Virginia, George Mason (offer), Georgetown, Boston College and Marquette.

"I'm happy but I'm shocked. I didn't expect things to change so much in one month," Robinson said.

"I feel like did make a name for myself but I still know that I have a lot of work to do. I feel like I have more things to do before I can be happy with my player. I just want to perfect everything I'm working on down low and taking my man off the dribble. I want to have the whole package."