Although he can play multiple sports, Crenshaw junior guard Antoine Robinson enjoys competing in basketball the most. Playing basketball has given him skills that he can apply beyond the court.
As a point guard, he is a leader of the Cougars boys basketball team. The lessons he learned in leadership have also helped him become more outspoken.
“The point guard is the second coach on the floor,” Robinson said. “I was really shy at first but basketball opened me up and made me comfortable, even with public speaking.”
He feels like he is currently in the best place he has ever been with his leadership skills, noting his transparency and honesty.
“I like talking to people, I like people coming to me asking for information,” Robinson said.
His contributions to the team helped the Cougars to an 8-6 overall record as of Saturday. Crenshaw suffered tough losses during tournament play. Through those matchups, the Cougars learned to play with aggression and play together.
“When we lose, it’s not a loss because we’re gaining some information, so we won’t do it next game,” Robinson said. “Those tournaments really helped out.”
Having a strong academic standing is important to him because he knows that it can lead to more opportunities on the court.
“If you want to go 100% on the floor, you got to go 110% in the books,” Robinson said. “There’s someone out there in the world that has the same exact skill set as you, that’s just as good as you in basketball, but the coach will pick you over them because you have a higher GPA.”
Math is Robinson’s best subject and geometry is his favorite math subject.
During his sophomore year, Robinson was sidelined with a knee injury. This was the first injury he could not play on and sitting out games was difficult for him. Robinson mentioned how his family motivated him to persevere through his injury.
“When I don’t have my back, I know they have my own back,” he said. “Even when I’m feeling down, I know they are gonna bring me back up regardless.”
A key piece of advice Robinson has learned is the importance of practicing for himself and not for the approval of others.
“A lot of times it’s a lot of people that practice with cameras,” he said. “But when you practice when it’s no one watching, it’s just you and that ball and maybe someone getting rebounds for you, that’s the time when you get better.”
Outside of athletics and academics, Robinson enjoys babysitting his cousins. While his short term goals is to help the Cougars make a deep run in the playoffs and make the All-City team, one of Robinson’s long term goals is to dominate a different type of court.
“I want to become a lawyer because my aunt is a lawyer,” he said. “That’s if I don’t make the NBA, even after the NBA. Before the NBA, I want to get my degree.”
