‘ Kelsey says after Cards romp to another win

‘We can be really good,’ Kelsey says after Cards romp to ano…

Rejoining Pope at Kentucky was an easy choice for Jaxson Robinson

By KEITH TAYLOR, Kentucky Today Aug 1, 2024 Updated Aug 2, 2024

Jaxson Robinson

Jaxson Robinson was named Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year last season while at BYU. (UK At

LEXINGTON, Ky. (KT) — Once Jaxson Robinson withdrew from the NBA Draft, his final college destination was clear.

Robinson, who played the previous two seasons for Kentucky coach Mark Pope at Brigham Young, decided to play for Pope for one more season.

“I kind of knew what I had in mind once I figured out that I wasn’t going to stay in the draft,” Robinson said. “I think it was a pretty easy choice for me.”

That decision gives Pope a veteran on the roster and a player with knowledge of his system. Robinson averaged 14.2 points and 2.5 rebounds off the bench and was named the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. He described Pope’s offense as “free-flowing” without limits.

“Coach Pope doesn’t put any restrictions on anybody,” Robinson said. “That’s exactly how the game of basketball is supposed to be played. A lot of reaction, not so much sets. It’s amazing playing for a coach like Coach Pope.”

He added that team chemistry also is a key to Pope’s offensive scheme.

“Coach Pope made sure that we knew that was a huge part of the key to us winning ballgames,” he said. “We have to know each other, especially in this offense, and it’s a super unselfish offense.”

Robinson said Pope likes for his teams to be empowered and added that “everyone has a voice.”

“Coach Pope always emphasizes that this is a player-led team,” Robinson said. “That’s something he carried over from BYU. That was something I heard a lot last year. I think it’s super true in the sense of that players would rather hold themselves accountable to the things they want to get done. I feel like this group of guys is locked in on that.”

He is not only going to counted on to provide scoring and experience for Kentucky this season, but also being a team leader.

“I think it starts with leading, then obviously defense and rebounding,” Robinson said. “As long as I’m honing those three specific skills and figuring out how to get better every day.”

Robinson played in the Southeastern Conference during stints at Texas A&M and Arkansas early in his collegiate career before making the move to BYU.

“I feel like I have a lot to prove, not only to people in the outside world, but to myself, knowing that I’m coming back to the SEC for a third time,” Robinson said. “There are a lot of games I’ve got circled on my calendar, so I’m excited to get out there.”

‘We can be really good,’ Kelsey says after Cards romp to another win

‘We can be really good,’ Kelsey says after Cards romp to ano…

Rejoining Pope at Kentucky was an easy choice for Jaxson Robinson

By KEITH TAYLOR, Kentucky Today Aug 1, 2024 Updated Aug 2, 2024

Jaxson Robinson

Jaxson Robinson was named Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year last season while at BYU. (UK Athletics Photo)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (KT) — Once Jaxson Robinson withdrew from the NBA Draft, his final college destination was clear.

Robinson, who played the previous two seasons for Kentucky coach Mark Pope at Brigham Young, decided to play for Pope for one more season.

“I kind of knew what I had in mind once I figured out that I wasn’t going to stay in the draft,” Robinson said. “I think it was a pretty easy choice for me.”

That decision gives Pope a veteran on the roster and a player with knowledge of his system. Robinson averaged 14.2 points and 2.5 rebounds off the bench and was named the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year. He described Pope’s offense as “free-flowing” without limits.

“Coach Pope doesn’t put any restrictions on anybody,” Robinson said. “That’s exactly how the game of basketball is supposed to be played. A lot of reaction, not so much sets. It’s amazing playing for a coach like Coach Pope.”

He added that team chemistry also is a key to Pope’s offensive scheme.

“Coach Pope made sure that we knew that was a huge part of the key to us winning ballgames,” he said. “We have to know each other, especially in this offense, and it’s a super unselfish offense.”

Robinson said Pope likes for his teams to be empowered and added that “everyone has a voice.”

“Coach Pope always emphasizes that this is a player-led team,” Robinson said. “That’s something he carried over from BYU. That was something I heard a lot last year. I think it’s super true in the sense of that players would rather hold themselves accountable to the things they want to get done. I feel like this group of guys is locked in on that.”

He is not only going to counted on to provide scoring and experience for Kentucky this season, but also being a team leader.

“I think it starts with leading, then obviously defense and rebounding,” Robinson said. “As long as I’m honing those three specific skills and figuring out how to get better every day.”

Robinson played in the Southeastern Conference during stints at Texas A&M and Arkansas early in his collegiate career before making the move to BYU.

“I feel like I have a lot to prove, not only to people in the outside world, but to myself, knowing that I’m coming back to the SEC for a third time,” Robinson said. “There are a lot of games I’ve got circled on my calendar, so I’m excited to get out there.”