WKU Basketball: Five-star Mitchell Robinson officially on campus

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Rick Stansbury of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts during a game against the Arizona WIldcats at the 2K Sports Classic Benefiting Coaches Vs Cancer at Madison Square Garden on November 18, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Five-star center Mitchell Robinson has arrived on campus at Western Kentucky University and will play for the Hilltoppers next season.

One of the biggest surprises in recruiting this season was the decision by five-star center Mitchell Robinson to choose the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers over several other likely NCAA Tournament teams like the North Carolina Tar Heels, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Texas A&M Aggies.

Robinson, who is one of the top 10 recruits in the Class of 2017, is a 7’0, 222-pound center out of Chalmette, Louisiana, and is officially a member of the Hilltoppers for next season.

After signing an NLI, it has been reported that he has arrived on campus and has even begun using some of the facilities.

WKU freshman Mitchell Robinson arrived on campus Sunday – even got in a late-night shootaround at Diddle Arena
— Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) July 10, 2017

While many are scratching their heads, the decision is a smart one from Robinson for many reasons.

First of all, Western Kentucky is a good school. It was one of the many that I visited before choosing where I went to college, and I currently live in a part of the country with a massive number of supporters and alumni.

More importantly, however, it really does not matter where you play if your expectation and intention is to become an NBA lottery pick.

Robinson is going to be “the man” while he is at WKU and instantly make the Hilltoppers the favorites in C-USA. While I believe that the conference is tougher than many believe and WKU will finish second or third, a 7’0, McDonald’s All-American center is going to dominate any and all opposition. His numbers are going to be phenomenal, and he’ll still wind up going high in the draft.

I mean, look at Ben Simmons. He played on a bad team and still went No. 1 overall. We’re at a point where scouts have enough information that they could confidently draft players right out of high school.

Next: Vanderbilt player trying to make the Knicks

It is understandable to find it strange that Robinson would go to WKU, but the Hilltoppers have always had a solid basketball program – maybe it’s finally time for them, and Robinson, to step into the spotlight.