Jaxson Robinson one of 5 finalists for award honoring nation's top small forward

by:Zack Geoghegan•about 15 hours•

ZGeogheganKSR

Feb 8, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jaxson Robinson (2) claps during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Jaxson Robinson‘s final college season might be over, but the production he had when healthy was still among the best in the country. And he’s rightfully being recognized for it.

On Wednesday, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced five finalists for the 2025 Julius Erving Award, which goes to the nation’s top small forward. Robinson was included in the group, along with Chad Baker-Mazara (Auburn), Cooper Flagg (Duke), Ace Bailey (Rutgers), and RJ Luis Jr. (St. John’s).

Before being ruled out with a season-ending wrist injury last week, Robinson appeared in 24 games this season for the Wildcats. He averaged 13 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 28.1 minutes per outing on shooting splits of 43.2/37.6/76.3. The 6-foot-7 guard is expected to undergo surgery Wednesday with a world specialist.

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Five Finalists for the 2025 Men’s Small Forward of the Year Award.

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— University of Hoophall (@hoophallu) March 5, 2025

Robinson was the lone player on this season’s Kentucky roster with any experience playing for new head coach Mark Pope. After spending the previous two years at BYU, Robinson followed Pope to Lexington and soon became one of the team’s best pieces. His non-conference stretch wasn’t always pretty, but he hit a groove once SEC play began. In 11 conference games, Robinson averaged 14.4 points per outing on impressive splits of 46.2/45.7/72.2.

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Unfortunately, his final college season was cut short after a torn tendon in his shooting wrist. After surgery is completed, Robinson will go straight into a multi-month rehab process as he prepares to get himself back to full strength in time for the 2025 NBA Draft.

The Julius Erving Award is now in its 11th year, although a Kentucky player has yet to win it. Flagg, the projected top pick in this summer’s NBA Draft, is the likely choice to take home this season’s honors. Beginning March 7, fans can vote on who they believe should be the winner by clicking the link here.