Robinson was the 2023-24 Big 12 sixth-man of the year.
“Jaxson Robinson has been one of the most improved players in the country for two straight years and is barely scratching the surface of his potential,” Pope said via press release. “His growth trajectory is incredible. He is an elite level shooter, is increasingly dangerous off the bounce and at the rim and has the potential to become a big-time playmaker. Jaxson guards with length and balance and understands how important it is to build strong relationships with his teammates. On a personal level, I’m so excited I get to finish his college journey with him in pursuit of Kentucky’s ninth national championship.”
Robinson’s commitment comes after he tested the NBA Draft waters, including receiving an NBA Combine invite. He withdrew his name from the draft just ahead of the May 29 deadline and, just a day later, committed to Kentucky over Kansas and a return to BYU.
The 6-foot-7 Robinson will be a fifth-year senior with one year of remaining eligibility. He is Kentucky’s ninth transfer portal addition of the offseason joining Amari Williams (Drexel), Lamont Butler (San Diego State), Otega Oweh (Oklahoma), Andrew Carr (Wake Forest), Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State), Koby Brea (Dayton) Kerr Kriisa (West Virginia) and Ansley Almonor (Fairleigh Dickinson) while UK also has signed three incoming freshmen in Travis Perry, Collin Chandler and Trent Noah.
With the addition of Robinson, Kentucky’s transfer portal class ranks fourth best in the country, ranking only behind former UK head coach John Calipari and Arkansas, Indiana and another former Wildcat head coach in Rick Pitino and St. John’s.
What is Kentucky getting in Robinson? Here’s a look back at his prep career and initial college recruitment, his early college career in the SEC, his rise to borderline stardom at BYU under Pope and what those who know his game best believe he will bring to Lexington.
After re-classifying into the class of 2020, Robinson, an Ada, Oklahoma product was ranked a four-star prospect by 247sports ranking as the country’s 82nd best player, 19th best small forward and the second best player from the state of Oklahoma only behind Kansas signee and McDonald’s All-American Bryce Thompson.
“Good length and strength for a shooting guard,” 247sports’ Director of Basketball Scouting Jerry Meyer wrote in his high school scouting report of Robinson, comparing him to NBA guard Reggie Bullock. “Solid athleticism with body control. Top notch shooter from deep. Has a quick and effortless release. Can score at all three levels. Handles well to get his shot. Adequate passer. Rebounds well. Dangerous offensive rebounder. Projects as a solid wing defender.”
Robinson’s full list of offers out of high school included Texas A&M, Arkansas, Auburn, Houston, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, TCU, Texas Tech, Tulsa and UT-Arlington.
He opted to sign with head coach Buzz Williams and Texas A&M. His primary recruiter was assistant Lyle Wolf.
As a true freshman at Texas A&M during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, Robinson played in 14 games and made four starts for the Aggies. He averaged 2.1 points per game, 1.1 assists and 0.8 rebounds while shooting 35.5 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three.
He matched a season-high total of six points three times coming in a win over Auburn and losses to South Carolina and Ole Miss.
After just one season in College Station, Robinson opted to enter the transfer portal and landed elsewhere in the SEC at Arkansas.
Playing under Eric Musselman during a 2021-22 season that saw the Razorbacks reach the Elite Eight, Robinson played in 16 games and started four. He averaged 3.4 points per game, 1.3 assists and 0.9 rebounds while shooting 38.0 percent from the field, 32.6 percent from three and 100 percent from the free throw line.
He scored a season-high 14 points in a win over Elon that saw him drain three threes and went for nine points in just eight minutes played in an upset loss to Hofstra.
After just one season in Fayetteville, Robinson once again opted to enter the transfer portal and this time landed with Mark Pope at BYU joining the Cougars for its final season in the West Coast Conference.
In his debut season at BYU, Robinson began to break out as he played in 33 games, started 30, and on the year averaged 8.5 points per game, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 38.6 percent from the field, 34.3 percent from three and 68.0 percent from the free throw line.
He matched a season-high 17 points in both a win over Pacific and a loss to Gonzaga, scored 16 points in a loss to USC, scored 13 points and grabbed a season-high eight rebounds in a WCC Tournament win over Loyola Marymount, and scored 15 points, draining five three-pointers in a victory over Westminster.
Robinson had his best year yet this past season in BYU’s debut season in the Big 12.
The 6-foot-7 guard played in 33 games but started just six, serving as the Cougar’s sixth man. He wound up leading the team in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.7 steals while shooting a career-best 42.6 percent from the field, 35.4 percent from three and 90.8 percent from the free throw line.
Robinson saved some of his best performances for the biggest moments.
He scored 18 points and knocked down four threes in a road win at Kansas, scored 23 and grabbed four rebounds in a win over an NC State team that wound up reaching the Final Four, scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds in a Big 12 Tournament loss to Texas Tech and went for 25 points and drilled five threes in the Cougars NCAA Tournament loss to Duquesne.
His season-high was 28 points scored in a win over Denver in which he shot 8-for-16 from three and dished four assists.
The year earned Robinson Big 12 Sixth-Man of the Year Award honors as he helped lead BYU to a 10-8 Big 12 record, good for fifth place in the league and earn a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament in Pope’s final season in Provo.
NBA Draft Net scouted Robinson in anticipation for the 2024 NBA Draft prior to his decision to withdraw.
He received comparisons to Trey Murphy of the New Orleans Pelicans and Todd Day, the all-time leading scorer in Arkansas program history.
“Long, wiry athlete with NBA athleticism. Late bloomer,” the scouting report read. “Bigtime shooter, among the top 3 point shooters available for this year’s draft. Possesses great form and knocks down threes at a high rate. Hitting 44.4% from behind the arch on a high volume, (3.6-of-8.1) per game and 90% from the line through two months of the season. Thrives in catch and shoot situations. High, concise release. Possesses a long frame at 6-7 with a 7-foot wingspan. Has an effective pull up jumper, and utilizes his length well to shoot over opponents. Big hands helps him corral the ball on rebounds and errant passes. Good vision on the break to find teammates.
“Struggled for much of his college career, transferring twice and put up just 8.5 ppg on inefficient 38.6-fg, 34.3-3p, 68.0-ft splits as a junior. Concerning junior year, statistics wise, playing as a 20 year old at a mid major (2022 BYU). Still needs to add bulk. Doesn’t seem to be able to, or understand how to fully utilize his athletic gifts throughout games. Upper body strength remains weak and affects his ability to finish at the rim, through contact.”
Last season, Robinson’s BYU teammate Noah Waterman who has since transferred to Louisville praised the 6-foot-7 guard telling Jay Drew of the Deseret News, “Jax is a dangerous man. Dude is one of the best shooters in the country. Didn’t surprise me. He does it all the time in practice.”
