Mark Pope reacts to Jaxson Robinson signing NBA contract with Cleveland Cavaliers

Jaxson Robinson was the final of four players from Kentucky‘s 2024-25 roster to sign with an NBA team following the 2025 NBA Draft. After spending a week as an undrafted free agent, he recently inked a contract to join the Cleveland Cavaliers’ summer league team.

Robinson played at BYU under Mark Pope for two seasons before following his coach to play at Kentucky for his fifth and final season of eligibility. Robinson’s season finished prematurely due to injury, but was a vital piece to the Wildcats’ success in Pope’s first season coaching at his alma mater.

Following the news that Robinson was getting picked up, Pope reacted to the news that he’s headed to the summer league. He had high praise for his former guard.

“It has been one of the highlights of my coaching career to spend the last three seasons with Jaxson Robinson,” Pope said, via release. “He was playing the best basketball of his career before his season was cut short and I’m ecstatic that he has earned this very well-deserved opportunity.”

Robinson averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists during his lone season with the Wildcats. One of his best performances saw him score 27 points while sinking seven 3-pointers in a victory against Mississippi State down the stretch in SEC play. He would go on to score 20 or more points on four different occasions during the 2024-25 season.

One feather in Robinson’s cap is the fact that he played his best basketball against SEC competition. This is even more impressive considering a record 14 teams from the conference made the NCAA Tournament last season. During the 11 games he played against the SEC, Robinson averaged 14.4 points while shooting 46.2% from the field and 45.7% from beyond the arc.

Before UK, Robinson laid claim to the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year in 2023-24. Moreover, Robinson was also the first player to come off the bench and lead the team in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game.

He’s one of four players from last year’s Kentucky team that landed a contract with an NBA team. Koby Brea and Amari Williams were both taken in the second round, and like Robinson, Andrew Carr also agreed to a deal as an undrafted free agent.

Now, Robinson will get the opportunity to earn a roster spot with the Cavaliers during the 2025 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. He’ll team up with the likes of draft picks Tyrese Proctor and Saliou Niang. Both Chaney Johnson and Denver Jones from Auburn’s Final Four squad are also on the team

The summer league is an all-week event beginning on July 10 and wrapping up on July 20. Cleveland will start its journey on the 10th against the Indiana Pacers.