Duke basketball career, Jon Scheyer's staff: former player returning after abrupt end

Duke basketball hires former player Justin Robinson as director of player development. Robinson's career ended due to COVID and war.

Former Duke basketball player Justin Robinson, who had a unique and impactful career, is making a return to the school. Robinson, the son of Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer David Robinson, has been hired as Duke basketball's director of player development. He joined Duke in 2016 as a walk-on without a scholarship, but eventually earned one and became a team captain in his senior year. Despite limited playing time in his first three seasons, Robinson emerged as a key player in the final games of the 2019-2020 season, contributing significantly to wins over N.C. State and North Carolina.

After his time at Duke, Robinson played professional basketball in the Israeli National League. However, his season was halted due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. He recently visited Duke, attending a game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and has now returned to take on a support role within the team. While his position does not allow him to recruit or work with players on the court, past Duke players in similar roles have been promoted to coaching positions. This includes Amile Jefferson, who became an assistant coach in 2022, and Nolan Smith, who is now in his second season as a Louisville assistant coach. Robinson's return to Duke signals a new chapter in his career, and his impact on the team is expected to be significant.

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