New England Roots: Duncan Robinson on his path from Williams College to the Miami Heat

Few players have taken a road as unconventional as Duncan Robinson to the NBA level. The New Hampshire native started his college career playing basketball at Williams College in Division 3 after receiving no DI scholarship offers out of high school.

The 6-foot-8 forward transferred to Michigan after one year at Williams, becoming one of the first players at the collegiate level to make that kind of jump with a scholarship offer. The sharpshooter became a pivotal contributor for John Beilein over the final three years of his collegiate career at Michigan, helping guide the Wolverines to the national championship game in 2018 before bowing out to Villanova.

Robinson went undrafted in June but was signed to a two-way contract by the Miami Heat after a breakout summer league performance, averaging 12.3 points on 58.8 percent shooting from downtown (20-of-34) in six games. He is poised to become the first Division III player to play at the NBA level since Devean George. BostonSportsJournal.com caught up with Robinson this summer to talk about growing up in New Hampshire, his path to the NBA and how he considered playing with the Celtics this summer. 

What was the youth sports scene like for you growing up in Newcastle?

Robinson: I just played every sport growing up. My mom had me running from practice to practice. I was into soccer, baseball, lacrosse, basketball. I played a lot of football with my friends. Just everything. As I got older, I developed a love for basketball. Basketball was always my favorite, but it wasn't necessarily my best sport. I just started to put more and more time into it. Eventually, I started putting more and more time into it and developed as a player.

What’s your most vivid youth sports memory?

Robinson: My eighth-grade year, my dad was our coach. Still to this day, some of my closest friends on that team. We should have gone undefeated. We went 16-1. It was bittersweet. It was a great memory but we had that one loss that will forever haunt us. We should have won it. That year was a lot of fun with my dad as the coach and a lot of my closest friends on the team.

Favorite Boston team growing up?

Robinson: Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots. I used to be a diehard for all three. I still really follow the Celtics and the Patriots. Now, obviously, I'm not a Celtics fan anymore, but I am still a Patriots fan. I used to be a big Red Sox fan but my love for baseball has kind of fizzled out a little bit.

Favorite Boston sports venue?

Robinson: I'll go Fenway on that one. It's one of one. There is no better ballpark in America.

Favorite Boston sports athlete growing up?

Robinson: Paul Pierce. Got to be. The ultimate Celtic. His whole career outside of the last couple of years. I was riding with him from the dog days when we were a lottery team to when we were winning the championship in 2008.

Favorite memory from attending a game in Boston?

Robinson: I think I went to a playoff Red Sox game against the Indians in the ALCS. I went to a couple playoff Celtics games as well over the years.

Did you get a chance to work out for the Celtics during the draft workout process?

Robinson: I worked out for the Celtics twice. I thought about going with them for summer league, but I felt like that Miami presented me with a better opportunity

What goes into your decision making when you decide on a summer league team after going undrafted?

Robinson: I've always been a big believer in it's all about the situation. When you go undrafted and you have the luxury of being able to pick your situation. I had some good options but none of them felt better to me than this one right here.

How many options did you have?

Robinson: I was considering four or so. I ultimately came down to Miami. I'm happy I did.

You are now poised to be one of the few ever who have made it from Division III level at college to the NBA after signing a two-way deal with the Heat. Did you ever think you would be in this spot? 

Robinson: No. With me, it was always about chipping away at it. I always have a strong belief in myself. To say I would have ever imagined this would be a lie, but it started to come to fruition as I started to put in more and more work. I feel very fortunate to be given this opportunity and I plan on playing the most of it.

How do you feel about your role with the Heat heading into your rookie year?

Robinson: It's great. It's all about the situation for me. I feel like I found a good one. The culture they are trying to establish shows through the way we play. Really unselfish. It fits my style.