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Jerome Robinson’s 3pt shooting could land him on Blazers

By Nate Mann

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 08: Boston College Eagles guard Jerome Robinson (1) during the ACC Tournament College Basketball Game between the Clemson Tigers and the Boston College Eagles on March 8, 2018, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 08: Boston College Eagles guard Jerome Robinson (1) during the ACC Tournament College Basketball Game between the Clemson Tigers and the Boston College Eagles on March 8, 2018, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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With the NBA draft lottery order released, journalists can better predict each teams’ selection. Still, there is no consensus as to who the Blazers might draft at No. 24.

Bleacher Report constructed its first mock draft following the NBA draft lottery. Journalists now have a better idea of who the first few picks will be, but they continue to predict different names for Portland at No. 24.

In the latest installment, Jonathan Wasserman has the Blazers selecting Jerome Robinson out of Boston College.

Robinson and Ky Bowman, his backcourt teammate, both declared for the draft in April after shortened careers with Boston College.

He is a 6’5″ right-handed combo guard. In his final college season, Robinson averaged 20.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.3 three-pointers per game. He shot 48.5% from the field and 40.9% from three in 36 minutes per night.

Robinson signed with the CAA, an agency that works with Chris Paul, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony.

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Jerome Robinson Pros

Defense

Robinson would add size to an undersized Portland backcourt. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are both under 6’4″, causing defensive problems against taller guards.

He averaged over one steal per game in his freshman and sophomore season with Boston College. The number dipped in the 2017-2018 season, but Robinson’s length and athleticism make him a solid defender at the guard position.

Scoring

The combo guard improved his scoring average in each season.

In 2015-2016, Robinson scored 11.7 points per game, shooting 42.9% from the field and 38.1% from three. The following year, he jumped to 18.7 points, but percentages stayed low (42.3% and 33.3% respectively). Robinson then wrapped up his college career shooting 48.5% field goal and 40.9% three-point for 20.7 points per contest.

The Blazers could use another player converting 40% or more of his three-point attempts – only Maurice Harkless and Meyers Leonard hit that mark this season.

Ball Movement

Robinson also moves well off the ball. With attention focused on Lillard and McCollum, the BC guard could free himself up for uncontested three-pointers.

Moving away from the play gives Robinson a chance to display his playmaking abilities as well. As a combo guard, he passed for at least three assists per game in each college season.

Jerome Robinson Cons

Ball Handling

Like most college ball handlers, Jerome Robinson turned the ball over frequently. In 2017-2018, he recorded an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.22 (3.3 assists and 2.7 turnovers per contest).

Injuries

Robinson missed six weeks of his freshman season due to a broken wrist. The injury occurred when his wrist collided with the backboard on a fastbreak dunk.

Fortunately, he hasn’t encountered any other injuries since then. However, any injury sustained during college can linger or hint at injury-proneness. The last thing Portland needs is to draft another injury-prone prospect.

Next: Best of Blazers: CJ goes for 50 points

Jerome Robinson will participate in this year’s NBA Draft Combine. He’s a projected late first or second round pick.

However, impressing scouts at the combine could move his selection up into the early 20s.