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Absolutely Must-Read Story on Thomas Robinson and his background

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by RedRedemption, Jul 1, 2012.

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RedRedemption Member

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http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...on-used-basketball-help-tragedy-espn-magazine

By late December, Thomas had settled back into his Lawrence routine. But before practice one day, he noticed Lisa had been calling his cellphone. He dialed her back and received the bad news: his grandmother had died. As Thomas wept on the phone, Lisa, who faithfully read the Bible, assured him that everything happens for a reason. When Self saw his player sobbing in the gym, the coach urged him to take the day off. But Thomas insisted on practicing. Never blink.

When he returned to DC for the funeral, Thomas was a rock for Lisa and Jayla -- and hid his own emotions. Three weeks later, in the middle of January, the phone rang again; this time his grandfather had died. "I'm thinking, This is bad," Thomas says. "This shouldn't be happening. I'm not even over my grandmother yet. Far from it. And now I get the call that my grandfather passed."

The next night, Friday, Jan. 21, the Jayhawks players watched film in preparation for a pivotal Big 12 home game against Texas. Afterward, around 11 p.m., the Morris twins recall they were kicking back in Thomas' room when his cellphone rang. "It's from home, man," he said. "I hope it's not any more bad news."

"I'm thinking, This is bad. This shouldn't be happening. I'm not even over my grandmother yet. Far from it. And now I get the call that my grandfather passed."

"Pick it up," Markieff said.

"Forget it. I'm not answering."

Thomas let the call go to voice mail, then checked the message. It was from Jayla; she was crying and begged Thomas to call her back.

He dialed Lisa's cellphone, but she didn't pick up. "Oh man, I don't know what's going on," Marcus said. Thomas' eyes were watering, and the twins were starting to tear up. He dialed his mom's home phone, and Jayla answered. She told him that Lisa had had a heart attack. Their mother was dead.
Click to expand...

I really hope this guy succeeds. Its an absolute tragedy what happened to him.
ALSO in before some douchebag says "Oh he's making millions, I don't feel bad for him."

EDIT: Here's a bonus video from ESPN on his story as well.
<script src="http://player.espn.com/player.js?pcode=1kNG061cgaoolOncv54OAO1ceO-I&width=576&height=324&externalId=espn:7494818&thruParam_espn-ui[autoPlay]=false&thruParam_espn-ui[playRelatedExternally]=true"></script>

#1 RedRedemption, Jul 1, 2012
Last edited: Jul 1, 2012

2 people like this.

Krizzle Member

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Strong Kid,great talent, I wish the Bobcats picked him up.

#2 Krizzle, Jul 1, 2012
Juxtaposed Jolt Member

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Holy crap. Didn't know his story until just now; just know ESPN said something during the draft about overcoming something.

Doesn't matter if you make $1 / hour or $1,000,000 / hour. No amount of money can bring your family members back.

Hope Robinson succeeds with the Kings.

#3 Juxtaposed Jolt, Jul 1, 2012
Marsarinian Member

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Unbelievable story. I've always been a huge believer in the effect of a player's character on his game. Strong, determined, mature players are the few that are capable of bringing their games night in and night out in this league. I wish Robinson all the best, and I'm confident that he will become a star.

#4 Marsarinian, Jul 1, 2012
RedRedemption Member

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Three family members dead in a few weeks. Wow.
Also his father abandoned him and his only remaining close relative, his sister, is being taken in by the father that abandoned him.

He lost it all. Hope he finds peace in the game of basketball.

#5 RedRedemption, Jul 1, 2012
leebigez Member

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Yep, I knew this and this is why he will be a great player. He's gonna play with a purpose all the time.

#6 leebigez, Jul 1, 2012
Bill Worrell Member

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Bobcats really missed out ....
Kings gonna be good!

#7 Bill Worrell, Jul 2, 2012

Rockets_Texans Member

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he deserves to succeed in the NBA

#8 Rockets_Texans, Jul 2, 2012
LandryMegaBeast Member

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what a story.. guys gotta be strong to go through all of that.

I hope he has a long successful career in the NBA.. guys like that will play with a lot of heart.

Hope he can help raise his sister too

#9 LandryMegaBeast, Jul 2, 2012
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Should have been the #2 pick. Even without knowing this story, you can see a certain motivation in his game...

#10 RV6, Jul 2, 2012
C1UTCH-C1TY Member

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respect.

#11 C1UTCH-C1TY, Jul 2, 2012
amaru Member

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I said it during the draft and I will say it again........I like this guy. I hope he gets custody of his sister.

#12 amaru, Jul 2, 2012
amaru Member

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http://www.nba.com/kings/video/kings-introduce-thomas-robinson

#13 amaru, Jul 2, 2012

alex_eg6 Member

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Wow, words cannot describe how he must feel and how strong of a young man he has to be for himself. He really has no one but his little sister. I hope he has a great NBA career. Will be rooting for him!

#14 alex_eg6, Jul 2, 2012
atomicanderz Member

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Oh wow, I'll be rooting for him to have a successful career and I wish him well. But, none of that is really important, I hope he's doing okay in his personal life.

#15 atomicanderz, Jul 2, 2012
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Never been a more repeated story in the history of college basketball. Every KU game, literally, every UK game in comparing him against Davis for NPOY.

It got old after the 5th time I heard it. No offense to him but I must have heard it literally 20 times.

#16 JD88, Jul 2, 2012
Shroopy2 Member

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My grandmother and dad died weeks apart 5 years ago. (I have 1 parent left from both sides, who I havent seen in over 10 years.) I became WORSE after, NOT more determined lol. If he perserveres, he's definitely a strong guy.

#17 Shroopy2, Jul 2, 2012
Dreamin Member

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So sad man. Love how he kept his chin up all the way and his dedication to his sister. I feel silly for whinging at all the little things in life.

#18 Dreamin, Jul 2, 2012

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Robinson's story was pretty well documented during the past year of college basketball, but it's unreal how few people know about this, and how it received almost no coverage during the draft/time leading up to the draft. It even seemed in Simmons' latest diary that he wasn't completely aware of what the kid's been through... Major props to him though, the amount his game has developed since the tragedy is flat out amazing.

#19 devil_blue, Jul 2, 2012
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RedRedemption said: ↑

Three family members dead in a few weeks. Wow.
Also his father abandoned him and his only remaining close relative, his sister, is being taken in by the father that abandoned him.

He lost it all. Hope he finds peace in the game of basketball.
Click to expand...

I believe they said Jayla's father is not his father.

#20 Stack24, Jul 2, 2012

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