Jaxson Robinson makes National Player of the Year watch list

Through two exhibition games, Jaxson Robinson sure looked like the star that Kentucky needs to kickstart the Mark Pope era. The former BYU transfer cracked a couple of preseason watch lists ahead of the first regular season game with the Wildcats.

On Wendesday, Robinson was one of 50 players named to the Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year watch list. Now in its 57th season, the Naismith Trophy has seen a pair of Kentucky players win this award: Anthony Davis (2012) and Oscar Tshiebwe (2022). Robinson averaged 21.5 points per outing on 13-21 outside shooting during UK’s two exhibitions.

But wait! There’s more! Robinson was also tabbed to the Naismith Julius Erving Award watch list, which is in its 11th season and honors the nation’s top small forward. He is one of 20 wings to crack the list.

.@Robinsonjaxx has been named to the Julius Erving Award preseason top 20 watchlist and the @NaismithTrophy preseason watchlist.

📰🔗 – https://t.co/UzlhqVQzzd pic.twitter.com/DbO4Z58Lag

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 30, 2024

Robinson is the lone member on Kentucky’s roster with experience playing under Pope prior to this season. The two were at BYU over the last two seasons, with Robinson going from a steady contributor as a junior to the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year as a senior. He elected to follow Pope to Lexington instead of entering the NBA Draft. So far, he’s looked every bit the part of what fans expected out of him.

During Kentucky’s first exhibition win against Kentucky Wesleyan (123-52) last week, Robinson finished with a game-high 19 points and three rebounds on 7-12 shooting, including a 5-9 clip from deep, in 23 minutes. He was even better Tuesday night in a 98-67 win over Minnesota State, once again leading all scorers with 24 points (8-12 3PT) in addition to six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 24 minutes. His eight made triples would have tied a career-high had it been a regular-season game.

Earlier in the fall, Robinson was named a preseason Third-Team All-SEC member. The Oklahoma native is in for a huge season in Lexington. His first real game as a Wildcat will come on Monday, Nov. 4 against Wright State. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST inside Rupp Arena on ESPNU.

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