KU All-American Thomas Robinson Returns to Work Basketball Camp
Former Kansas men’s basketball Consensus All-America first team selection and the No. 5 selection in the 2012 NBA Draft Thomas Robinson returned to Allen Fieldhouse Sunday as a feature counselor for the Bill Self Basketball Procamp. On Saturday, Ben McLemore was the featured counselor at the camp. During Sunday’s camp, Self and Robinson met briefly with the media. Below are highlights of their media sessions.
Bill Self
On having Thomas Robinson and Ben McLemore back for camp:
Bill Self (BS): “It’s great to have Thomas (Robinson) and Ben (McLemore) come back. They’re having a good time. Ben was here yesterday and Thomas today. It’s a good camp. It’s the first time we’ve done this. I anticipate doing it more in the future and maybe taking it to Kansas City or some other places.”
“They (Robinson and McLemore) want to come back. It was good to have those guys available to come back. These guys love to come back. They look for an excuse to come back all the time.”
On talking with Thomas about his NBA rookie season in 2012-13:
BS: “I talked with him during the season. I think his batteries are charged. He’s excited to be in Portland. He had a great summer league. He was probably the best rebounder in the summer league. He’s excited to get started.”
On Robinson’s shooting:
BS: “Thomas for me was a volume shooter (at Kansas). Since he had the green light his last year, he knew if he missed he could keep shooting. In the NBA it’s different when you are not the first option. I think if he realizes who he is – a rebounder that can score as opposed to a scorer that can rebound. If he can worry about the things that he can control, he’ll become even a better shooter.”
Thomas Robinson
Describing his rookie year in the NBA:
Thomas Robinson (TR): “It was up and down, a rookie roller coaster. It’s all good. I have a better year ahead of me. I’m excited for that.”
What he likes about his new situation in Portland:
TR: “I feel wanted there, which is a good thing. We have very young talent, especially with the main core guys. I think I’ll go in there and just find a spot to help the team.”
On talking with Coach Self:
TR: “I talked to coach Self a couple of times this year; more than a couple actually. He told me the same thing he told me when I was here. I had struggled at times before my junior year. (He said) just be a rebounder and start from there.”
What he misses about KU:
TR: “Everything. I was just thinking about that the other day – walking on campus, coming to the games, getting ready before the season, going to the Big 12 Tournament – everything. There is a lot here.”
On the summer league in 2013:
TR: “Speaking on getting back to who I am, I think I did that in summer league. I led it in rebounding. If one thing describes me, it’s rebounding. My confidence is getting back up. I’m just getting ready for the season.”
