NBA scout: Inconsistent sophomore year should bring Glenn Robinson III back to Michigan for junior season

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Michigan sophomore Glenn Robinson III has played in every game over his first two seasons at Michigan, averaging 12.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He is expected to announce his intentions to return to U-M or declare for the NBA draft in the next week or two.

(Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News)

ANN ARBOR -- An up-and-down sophomore season has at least one NBA talent evaluator thinking Glenn Robinson III should return to Michigan for his junior season.

An NBA Eastern Conference scout speaking Tuesday on the condition of anonymity described Robinson as "just so inconsistent" with a talent level that "teases you a little bit."

Robinson has played in every game over his first two seasons at Michigan, averaging 12.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward averaged 13.1 points on 48.8 percent shooting, including a 30.6 percent showing on 3-pointers, and grabbed 4.4 rebounds per game this past season.

Along with fellow U-M sophomore Mitch McGary, Robinson spurned the NBA draft last spring, choosing to return for a second season in Ann Arbor.

Now he has another decision to make.

Projecting where Robinson could be selected in this year's NBA draft is difficult. His potential is boundless, but his play has been erratic. The scout described his prospective draft position as "all over the board for some people."

He concluded saying Robinson should return to Ann Arbor to "develop some consistency in his game."

There have been signs of what could be this season.

Robinson scored 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting and 7-of-8 free throws in an aggressive outing against Indiana. He scored 17 points, including a game-wining shot, and grabbed eight rebounds in a win at Purdue. He scored 15 and grabbed five boards against Michigan State and put up 23 points at Nebraska.

Then there's the other side. Robinson scored six points on 2-of-8 shooting in a loss to Michigan State. He scored two points on 1-of-7 shooting in a loss at Iowa. He grabbed three or less rebounds in nine of the team's final 25 games.

In his two-year career, Robinson averaged 13.1 points in 59 Michigan wins and 8.4 points in 17 losses.

"He just scares me because of his inconsistency," the scout said.

Much of this season's troubles stemmed from outside shooting. Robinson went 4-for-22 (18.2 percent) on 3-point attempts in 11 road games and shot 22.2 percent in Big Ten play.

He finished the season strong, shooting 11-for-27 (40.7 percent) on 3s in March, but that came after going 8-for-38 (21.1) in January and February.

Concerns surrounding Robinson go beyond jump shooting. The scout pointed out games that saw Robinson dominate for stretches before disappearing. A perception exists that "he can impose his will more on a game and he doesn't," according to the scout.

A narrow loss to Arizona sticks out. Robinson shined on a court of stars in the first half against the Wildcats. He scored 16 points, going 7-for-7 with two 3s, one mid-range jumper and four scores at the rim.

Then he scored four points in the second half. Michigan lost, 72-70.

The scout believes Robinson deferred to teammates too often this season. Because of Robinson's vast talent, strength, size and athleticism, he remains confident Robinson can compete in the NBA, but wants to see him dominate college first.

If Robinson returns to Michigan next season, the scout said he wants to see "game maturity."

"Like, having some determination to take over a game," he said. "I don't see that in him yet."


NBA DRAFT KEY DATES
April 16-19 -- Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Portsmouth, VA)
April 27 -- NBA Draft Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)
May 20 -- 2014 NBA Draft Lottery
June 16 -- NBA Draft Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5 p.m. ET)
June 26 -- 2014 NBA Draft

Brendan F. Quinn covers University of Michigan basketball. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on Wolverines hoops. He can be contacted at bquinn@mlive.com

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