Recruiting Report: Jaylen Robinson (2019)
A season after averaging 17.7 points per game for Hamilton, 6’1″ point guard Jaylen Robinson (2019) is picking up momentum as a recruit in July.
“I’m getting a lot of D-II interest,” Robinson said. “I went to Mount Vernon’s camp and they’re interested in me. Ashland has been texting back and forth with me, so they’ve been to my tournaments. And I went to Miami Oxford’s camp and the coaches really liked me.”
He went on to mention that Saint Leo also recently expressed interest in Robinson, via communication to his high school coach. Although he’s not shutting that potential door, that would be a far hike for Robinson.
“I would like to stay close to home. … But it comes down to the best school and wherever I like. It just matters where I prefer. It doesn’t matter if it’s close or not, I just want to play somewhere at a high level,” he explained.
Robinson, who carries a 2.9 GPA and an 18 on the ACT (will retake on Sept. 9), would like to take visits following the July Live Period.
His evaluation as a prospect is interesting because of his offensive versatility. For most of his career, he’s been asked to be the primary scorer, even though he has the build of a point guard and possesses those skills.
“Last year, I played off the ball because we had a point guard,” he said. “I have experience being a point guard and bringing the ball up the court. I can do that. I like doing that.”
“Thinking about my senior year, I want to focus on the defensive end and being more of a point guard. … I know I can score the ball. My high school coach, my AAU coach wants me to score the ball and get my teammates involved,” Robinson said.
Much like his situation at Hamilton, Robinson is once again playing alongside another point guard for Apex Basketball Club. However, when he shares the court with Landen Long, Robinson has taken a facilitator role. He’s impressed with his ability to handle ball pressure and drive-and-kick.
As a defender, Robinson likes to apply pressure himself.
“My coaches already say I’m a good defender. But I reach too much and I gamble too much,” Robinson said.
With Robinson focused on improving as a facilitator and disciplined defender, we expect him to be a pretty well-versed basketball player by the time he arrives on a campus. The continual changes in roles, responsibilities, and focuses have afforded Robinson the opportunity to become well-rounded. And at the end of the day, Robinson is already an intelligent player who can pass, dribble, and shoot.
Before travelling to Orlando next weekend, Apex will compete in the Platinum South bracket at the All In HoopFest today in Louisville, where Robinson is once again proving himself as a pass-first floor general.