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Devin Robinson overcomes injury, leads Gators basketball

 
Florida forward Devin Robinson (1) shoots, and is fouled by North Florida center Romelo Banks (33), during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough) FLGM104
Florida forward Devin Robinson (1) shoots, and is fouled by North Florida center Romelo Banks (33), during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough) FLGM104
Published Dec. 11, 2016

GAINESVILLE — After his sophomore season had ended and he declared for the 2016 NBA draft, Devin Robinson's left foot started hurting.

The Florida forward, complaining about the pain, had an MRI exam in April. The diagnosis: a stress fracture that required surgery. His basketball career — present and future —was in jeopardy. The navicular fracture was the same injury that ended former NBA All-Star Yao Ming's career.

Robinson had surgery April 20, and his future was undecided. The time­table for recovery was four to six months — meaning he would miss the NBA summer league and training camp. Robinson had a decision to make: risk not getting drafted, or come back for another season.

"If you want to come back, obviously we'd love to have you back and continue to help you with your development and give you the platform here to continue to improve," Florida coach Mike White told him.

Robinson wanted to leave. He was a projected second-round draft pick because of his length (he's 6 feet 8) and athleticism. His body, however, made the decision his heart could not.

"God probably has a bigger plan for you," Robinson recalled his family telling him. "So just take it as a lesson and a blessing that you can come back and still play college basketball and still do the things you love."

But getting his mind wrapped around another year of college was harder.

"I just had to open my mind and open my eyes at the beginning that I could still play basketball," he said.

His mind, like his body, has come back spectacularly. Robinson is averaging career highs in points per game (11.7) and field-goal percentage (53.6). In UF's losses to Gonzaga and Duke, he scored 18 and 11, respectively. He's one reason the Gators are 7-2 and two weeks ago earned their first Top 25 ranking since Nov. 24, 2014, when Billy Donovan was the head coach. But Robinson's offense isn't his only improvement.

"He's made a huge jump defensively, and that's why he's getting more minutes, and therefore you're going to see him score more and you're going to see him score more," White said. "He's a different defender (1.2 steals per game), not only from last year, he's a different defender than he was six years ago. He's made a commitment to it."

Robinson is more aggressive this season. White says he's playing with a motor. Maybe that's because he was immobilized for so long. After his surgery, Robinson had a cast on his foot until August. He couldn't practice. He couldn't run. Or jump. Or walk.

While his teammates were practicing in the offseason, Robinson sat in a chair and dribbled. Other times he would prop up his left leg on a chair, or stand on his right foot and shoot from a couple of feet away from the basket.

"Physically, it was tough," Robinson said. "Just knowing you can't do what you want to do and you see everybody getting better on the court."

Robinson also began watching film during the offseason. He analyzed his game to see what mistakes he was making. He noticed little details on the offensive end that he could improve. He saw times when he didn't capitalize on scoring opportunities.

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"I feel like it got my game better," Robinson said. "I grew as a player."

After a painfully frustrating four months, Robinson's game, like his foot, is stronger.