March 28, 2017
COVERAGE OF ROBINSON IN CHICAGO
Bowling Green Daily News — Fellow All-Americans impressed by WKU signee Robinson
WBKO — WKU's Robinson ready to show his stuff at McDonald's All American Game
CHICAGO — WKU signee Mitchell Robinson continues to earn praise on a grand stage this week as the five-star center prepares to play in the McDonald's All American Game on Wednesday.
Robinson – a 7-foot prospect out of Chalmette (La.) High School – is the first McDonald's All American in WKU history.
It's been a busy week for the highly heralded recruit, including a list of activities and obligations surrounding the all-star game, which takes place at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday at the United Center in Chicago and will air on ESPN.
On Monday, Robinson and the rest of the nation's top prospects visited children at the Ronald McDonald House and participated in or observed the POWERADE Jam Fest.
Tuesday was media day for the players, along with an afternoon scrimmage that was broadcast on ESPNU. That scrimmage included a thundering alley-oop dunk by Robinson and a live in-game interview with the center on national TV.
We're proud of Mitchell for representing the Hilltoppers during his live interview from Chicago! #GoTops pic.twitter.com/agBDw1O3Zc
— WKU Basketball (@WKUBasketball) March 28, 2017
The heightened attention is something new for Robinson, but it's a challenge he said he's facing head-on.
"I'm handling it pretty well," Robinson told gathered reporters in Chicago. "It's something I love to do, so I've got to face everything that's come toward me."
Not only is Robinson the first McDonald's All American in WKU history, but he's the first from a Conference USA school since Memphis' Shaq Goodwin in 2012.
Robinson is also the sixth McDonald's All American signed by WKU's Rick Stansbury as a head coach, joining standouts Mario Austin, Renardo Sidney, Monta Ellis, Travis Outlaw and Jonathan Bender from Stansbury's tenure at Mississippi State.
Robinson, who signed with Stansbury and WKU in November, is ranked as the No. 6 prospect nationally in the 2017 class by Rivals, Scout and 247Sports. He's the Hilltoppers' highest-ranked prospect during the modern recruiting service era, as well as Stansbury's highest-ranked recruit during his 15 seasons as a head coach.
Quade Green throws the lob to WKU recruit Mitchell Robinson. pic.twitter.com/DsFqXsBPUz
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) March 28, 2017
"He's got such a bright future," Jim Martin, coach of the McDonald's event's East team, told reporters Tuesday. "I think he's a kid that's just getting better and better. I think there's some areas he can work on, but that God-given athleticism is going to take him pretty far.
"He will impact Western Kentucky the first day he walks on that campus."
Robinson averaged 25.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and six blocks per game as a senior at Chalmette, according to MaxPreps. The Owls reached Louisiana's Class 5A state semifinals.
Robinson received Naismith High School Boys' All-American honorable mention honors earlier this month, and he was selected to compete in the Jordan Brand Classic on April 14 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
