Emotion hits Robinson after selection by Kings

One of the toughest players in the 2012 NBA draft couldn't contain the tears when he heard his name called.

No, Thomas Robinson wasn't hit with grief after being selected by the Kings. It was the realization that he finally had reached the NBA.

The Kings made Robinson's dream come true with the fifth overall selection in the NBA Draft Thursday night.

"I don't know where it came from," Robinson said. "I worked hard to get here."

On and off the court, Robinson has worked to become a pro. That he is a King is a matter of fate, if you ask coach Keith Smart.

"I think it happened because is where this guy was supposed to be," Smart said. "I think how it happens …how they reach that point, everyone comes close to being where they're supposed to be when it's time."

The Kings selection of Robinson was an easy one, considering the team didn't expect him to last beyond the second pick in the draft.

"The draft's the draft," said Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie. "You think you have it pretty well line out and decisions get made and there's always a few changes…of course everybody knew (Anthony) Davis was going No. 1."

The Kings went into the draft looking to add depth at power forward. The Kings had been connected to the likes of North Carolina's John Henson if the team selected a power forward.

Once the Charlotte Bobcats selected Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with the second pick and Robinson's hometown Washington Wizards passed on him at three, it was a cinch Robinson would be a King.

Cleveland, which held the fourth pick, had used the fourth pick in last year's draft on power forward Tristan Thompson so Robinson wasn't an option.

Robinson's work on the court was among the best in the country last season. In his first season as a starter for the University of Kansas, the junior power forward averaged 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds.

Robinson was a unanimous first team AP All-American (the first since Blake Griffin in 2009). Robinson led the nation with 27 double-doubles and was also the Big 12 Player of the Year.

Those accolades coupled with confidence in his ability led Robinson to believe he would be selected before five.

"Yeah (I was surprised to go fifth), but no. it kind of went based on team needs," Robinson said. "The teams that skipped past me didn't need me at they're position and the Kings took a chance on me and took me at five and I'm going to make the best of that."

Besides his stellar season for the Jayhawks, Robinson's story includes him overcoming tragedy and also helps explain the emotion he felt after being drafted.

In a span of three weeks during his sophomore season, Robinson grandfather and grandmother died.

Five days after his grandmother died, Robinson's mother, Lisa, died unexpectedly from a heart attack, leaving Robinson to care for his nine year-old sister Jayla, who lived in Washington, D.C.

Robinson said his lost loved ones are "motivation."

On the court Robinson is expected to contribute immediately along with center DeMarcus Cousins.

The Kings intend to re-sign starting power forward Jason Thompson, who is a restricted free agent. Robinson, however, should provide another scorer, rebounder and a player who will be as intense as any on the floor.

Robinson was the Jayhawks' sixth man as a sophomore and backed up three first round picks in his first two seasons (Cole Aldrich, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris).

"Being able to watch and learn definitely helped when it was my turn," Robinson said.

The Kings traded their second round pick, 36th overall, to the Indiana Pacers, for cash. Petrie said the move give the Kings "some flexibility for other things we want to do going forward."

Besides re-signing Thompson, the Kings can look to free agency to find players that would improve their perimeter shooting.

That could also include re-signing swingman Terrence Williams or adding a player via trade. The Kings will begin free agency approximately $15 million below the salary cap.

• Read more articles by Jason Jones

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