London Lions have stepped up their summer recruitment after announcing the signing of Great Britain international guard Justin Robinson.
The Londoner has a wealth of experience having played across Europe over the past six years as well for GB at Eurobasket 2013 and returns home for his first stint in the BBL.
Robinson is an alumni of London club, Brixton Topcats learning the game under legendary coach, Jimmy Rogers, a move to Blair Academy for High School was followed by graduation from Rider University, where he averaged 15.3 points and 3.8 assists per game in his senior year as captain.
“I saw him train with the Lions a couple of years ago and when I got this job he was a player we needed to get,” Lions coach Mariusz Karol said. “He works hard he knows what it is to practice hard and translate to the court, he will help us a lot.”
Robinson himself is quite clear that this is the right time for him and the Lions:
“I’m really excited about playing for London Lions this upcoming season,” Robinson commented. “A chance to play in front of my loved ones is a huge deal after playing so many years abroad.
“Having the opportunity to actually play in London, my hometown, means having maximum support from my family and friends, but also the fans who I’m looking forward to play in front of. To see the direction the club is going and with plans of playing in Europe in 2018/19 this is something I had to be apart of.
“I want to help the league, encourage young talent, but also do all the stuff off the court and help the community. The Lions want me to be a leader and be the difference maker and I have a bit more experience to set an example.”
Robinson averaged 11.9 points and 2.5 assists last season for Doxa Lefkadas in Greece Basket League before finishing the season at French side Saint Queintin.
Lions’ boss Vince Macaulay added: “Justin is a big signing for us, getting a core group of British players is critical for our path.
“On the court he’s going to be second to none, off it we will capitalise on his being in London, advertising, marketing and creating the star we know he is. I want young British players to realise the BBL is becoming a real option for them and Justin is just the first of many.”
