He Went Undrafted… But Look Who Just Gave This Former Kentucky Star an NBA Contract!
CLEVELAND — When Jaxson Robinson went undrafted, the basketball world barely blinked. After all, the NBA Draft is ruthless — built on projections, health reports, and momentum. Robinson had the talent, no doubt. But an ankle injury in his final season at Kentucky and a rollercoaster college journey left scouts divided. That doubt didn’t last long. Less than 72 hours after the draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers made the call. They weren’t just offering a Summer League invite. They were handing him a two-year contract.
“It’s not about where you start,” Robinson told reporters, standing at the Cavaliers’ training facility, “it’s about staying ready. And I’ve been ready.”
His journey has been anything but linear. Originally a top-50 recruit out of Ada, Oklahoma, Robinson began his collegiate career at Texas A&M, then transferred to BYU, where he found footing under head coach Mark Pope. But it was at Kentucky — following Pope’s move to Lexington — that Robinson showed flashes of NBA-level shot creation, court vision, and perimeter defense. In 2024, he averaged 14.2 points per game, shot 38% from three, and became a quiet leader on a young but gifted Wildcats roster.
The injury that sidelined him for most of February and March clouded his draft stock. Despite strong interviews and a decent combine showing, Robinson’s name wasn’t called on draft night. The Cavs, however, had been tracking him since his sophomore year.
“We saw the kind of poise and resilience you just don’t teach,” said Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey. “We know what kind of scorer Jaxson is, but we’re more excited about his maturity, his basketball IQ, and how he fits into our culture.”
His signing was announced early Monday morning with a highlight reel that spanned four programs, three coaching staffs, and hundreds of clutch moments that never made SportsCenter. Still, Robinson never wavered.
“My journey made me,” he said. “The moves, the adversity, even sitting out — it made me smarter, tougher. I’m walking into Cleveland with a chip on my shoulder.”
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Robinson’s versatility and anticipates giving him real minutes during the preseason.
“He’s the kind of guy who can stretch the floor, guard two to three positions, and not demand the spotlight,” Bickerstaff said. “That’s rare. That’s valuable.”
Robinson’s Cavaliers contract includes a partially guaranteed first year and a team option for the second — standard for undrafted rookies, but it’s a shot he’s embracing with open arms.
The Cavs are building a deeper backcourt, looking to complement stars like Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell with high-character players who can contribute right away. For a franchise chasing playoff consistency, Robinson’s low-risk, high-upside profile fits perfectly.
“I just want to earn it,” Robinson said. “I’ve never been handed anything — and that’s my edge.”
From overlooked to over-delivering — Jaxson Robinson may have gone undrafted, but if Cleveland is right, he won’t stay under the radar for long.
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