Jaxson Robinson will enter the NBA Draft

Early into the season, this seemed like a foregone conclusion. Jaxson Robinson's breakout season at BYU established him as the Big 12's best 6th man, and one of the nation's best players coming off the bench. Robinson announced his decision with a post on X with a thank you post highlighting the roles that his family, BYU, and God played in getting him to this point.

Unexpectedly, following a first-round exit from the NCAA Tournament at the hands of Duquesne, Robinson shared some uncertainty in regards to leaving early. "This loss sucks. Like coach Pope said, [I] want to be back here next year. I'm already thinking about that." Robinson told the press. Then, he continued, "Coach Pope has been a great coach. He's helped me so much, mentored me. I wouldn't be here without him."

When Robinson considered a return, that was a return to Mark Pope's BYU squad. Once Pope was out the door, seeing the Big 12's 6th Man of the Year return to Provo felt unlikely--no matter how promising Kevin Young's NBA pipeline appeared.

So, Robinson is officially entering the NBA Draft after taking some time to fully consider. When a player declares for the draft before their eligibility has dried up, it suggests that the feedback he's receiving from NBA teams has been promising. But what do the mock drafts say? Where does Robinson's stock sit?

Draft Projections

In most mock drafts, Robinson's name isn't getting called. Seeing a player go undrafted after he declared early would be tough. Across most sites, Robinson's draft ceiling is a second-round selection, and his floor is as a footnote hoping to draw some attention in the NBA Summer League. But what do scouts say about Robinson's game? Does it translate well to the next level, or is an NBA career a pipe dream for the 21-year old?

Bleacher Report: Round 2, Pick 44 - Houston Rockets

Bleacher Report's scouting report projects that Robinson's shooting stroke is his most enticing asset, and teams looking for long-range weapons should take a look at Robinson in the second round.

"Jaxson Robinson's breakout should earn an NBA combine invite after he drilled 81 threes with 6'7" size and a projectable stroke. Though listed as a senior, he's still 21 with a year left of eligibility and his former BYU coach is now at Kentucky.

[...] staying in the draft will likely mean someone takes him for shooting in the second round."

- BleacherReport.com

Sports Illustrated: Potential 2nd Round Pick

Sports Illustrated described Robinson as a "jumbo shooter" and praised him for his ability to produce on ridiculously high volume. BYU's outside-in offensive style gave players like Robinson the green light to fire away if given any daylight from beyond the arc. The site describes his pro-level skills further:

"On ridiculous volume, Robinson has been one of the best 3-point shooters in the entire country this season. He has fantastic form that is repeatable and can rise above defenders with his size and release point. On any given night, he can knock down four of five triples and really be a catalyst for his team. Whether it’s in spot-up situations or creating for himself, Robinson can shoot in a variety of ways. He has decent vision for his position, but isn’t a primary or secondary facilitator. He also will need to prove he can rebound at a higher rate to round out his productivity."

- SportsIllustrated.com

The site also described his need to improve on the defensive end, though insisted that he's shown positive flashes and has the capacity to improve. Despite this, SI projects that Robinson could have a long NBA career in a 3-and-D role, if given the chance.

Though Cougar Nation will be sad to see him go, we wish Jaxson good luck moving forward with his career. It's not easy to see someone leave, and BYU has seen plenty of that over this offseason. His path may not be clear at the moment, but be sure to keep your eyes on NBA Draft boards as Robinson works out for NBA teams and hopefully receives an invitation to the combine.

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