Michigan Officially Adds Division III Transfer Duncan Robinson
By Daniel Tran
The Michigan Wolverines add Division III transfer Duncan Robinson from Williams College to their roster.
Overlooked during his high school recruitment due to size and an untimely back injury, Robinson got his Division I opportunity after averaging 17.1 points as a freshman for the Ephelia last season and earning the Division III Freshman of the Year award.
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Armed with a deadly three-point shot (45.3% last season) and good decision-making with the ball, Robinson will sit out the upcoming 2014-15 season to adjust to the speed and talent level that is prevalent at Division I. He will also need to add more strength to his relatively thin 6’8 frame to endure those long nights in the Big 12 Conference.
It is rare for a Division III player to successfully make the jump to Division I mostly because the disparity in talent and athleticism, but Robinson’s former high school coach at Exeter Jay Tilton has no doubts that he will make an impact.
“He’s not a kid looking to play a small role,” explains Tilton. “He’ll put the effort and energy in. I have not coached a kid with more passion for the game of basketball. He has a tremendous work ethic. He spends hours and hours on his craft. Basketball is his social life, and that’s why he has been able to put himself in this position.”
Though it is uncertain that Robinson will be able to make a successful transition to the Division I level, he will certainly be an intriguing story going forward.