The Hawks had their eye on Glenn Robinson III.
During last year’s NBA Draft, the small forward was within reach. However, he would be selected by the Timberwolves with the 40th overall pick – three slots ahead of the Hawks. They are getting a better look at him now.
Robinson joined the Hawks’ Las Vegas Summer League entry late in the process after stints with the Timberwolves and 76ers last season as a rookie.
“I had a couple of workouts with the Hawks during my draft process,” Robinson said. “I had two. They were a team that really looked at me. They gave me a call and wanted me to come out and play summer league. I know this is a team that I would love to play for. The whole coaching staff has a great philosophy and they play really well together. I think that is the type of system that I fit best in.”
Robinson made his debut Sunday night and had a team-high 13 points on 4 of 9 shooting, including a 3-pointer. He also added three rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 19 minutes off the bench after only one practice. The Summer Hawks (1-1) play their final scheduled game Monday against the D-League Select team before the seeded portion of the tournament begins Wednesday.
The 6-foot-6 Robinson plays a position the Hawks could use additional help come training camp in September. The Hawks have 14 players under contract so there is one open roster spot available if they choose to fill it.
“I thought he gave us a spark,” said Kenny Atkinson, the assistant who is leading the Hawks team. “He is obviously a very talented guy. He showed he can handle it. He hit a three. He’s got NBA size for his position. That is the intriguing thing about Glenn. We are going to keep an eye on him. I’m glad we brought him in and I’m glad we are going to get a good look at him.”
Robinson, 21, made the Timberwolves roster and appeared in 25 games. He was waived in March and picked up by the 76ers. He played 10 games with the 76ers, including one against the Hawks, and averaged 4.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 15.3 minutes. He got an up-close look at a system in which he liked to play.
“Guarding Kyle Korver, off some of those screens and some of those motions, I can see why they were so tough to guard,” Robinson said. “Constant movement. We share the ball. This is a system where I fit best.”
The Hawks are weighing several options at the wing following the departure of DeMarre Carroll. At the small forward spot are Thabo Sefolosha, coming off injury, and Kent Bazemore. Newly-acquired Tim Hardaway Jr. and Justin Holiday could also be part of the rotation. A training camp invitation is a possibility for Robinson III, along with several others on the Hawks summer league roster, after he became a free agent when the 76ers elected not to pick up his option. Such an opportunity was a reason Robinson accepted the Hawks’ call just before the start of summer league.
He’s well-versed in the Hawks’ organization and system to know he chance will begin with defense.
“It definitely did,” Robinson said when asked whether he considered the current Hawks roster when making a decision to play here. “I talked to my agents and they brought me in three days ago. That was kind of a surprise but at the same time this team needs defense, a guy who can step out on the court and lock down. They have shooters, guys who can score. I know that might not be my role at first but if I am lucky enough to make this team and have an opportunity defense is really going to be the thing that gets me on the court.”
Robinson, the son of former NBA player Glenn Robinson, said a training camp invitation would be the ideal next step. He added he will leave that to Hawks management and his agent. His job is to “play as hard as I can and open up some eyes.”
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