Devin Robinson undrafted: Florida without NBA Draft pick for fourth straight year

By Adam Silverstein
June 23, 2017
Devin Robinson undrafted: Florida without NBA Draft pick for fourth straight year
Basketball

Image Credit: ESPN Images

The NBA Draft has not been kind to former Florida Gators as of late, particularly those that have left school early to try their hand at playing professional basketball.

The 2017 NBA Draft came and went on Thursday without a single Florida player being selected. That marked the fourth straight year that has been the case despite three Gators declaring for the draft with eligibility remaining.

This year it was Devin Robinson, a 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward whose Florida career was marked by inconsistency. While Robinson flashed tremendous athleticism and ability, improved his shooting and stepped up as a defender in his junior season, he did not stand out in any one area outside of his overall length. Robinson started 35 games for Florida last season, averaging 11.1 points and 6.1 rebounds.

Robinson joins guard Michael Frazier II and center Chris Walker as recent Gators who declared with eligibility remaining yet went undrafted.

Frazier signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015 but was waived by two teams. He played for three NBA D-League teams over two seasons, being traded once and cut twice. Frazier presently plays in Italy. Walker also went undrafted in 2015 but signed with the Houston Rockets. He remains an affiliate player for Houston and has spent his entire professional career playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA D-League.

A Florida draftee has not truly made it in the NBA since G Bradley Beal went No. 3 overall to the Washington Wizards in 2012. The Chicago Bulls took F Erik Murphy No. 49th overall in 2013, and he saw parts of two seasons with the club before moving to play ball overseas.

Just last year, F Dorian Finney-Smith went undrafted but was snagged by the Dallas Mavericks and made his way to the opening-night roster. He wound up playing 81 games for the Mavs last season, making 35 starts while averaging 20.3 minutes per game.

Joining Robinson as undrafted free agents from Florida are G Canyon Barry, point guard Kasey Hill and F Justin Leon. Hill and Leon are expected to begin their careers overseas.

Robinson reportedly agreed to an undrafted free agent contract with the Wizards on Friday, while Barry will join the New York Knicks for NBA Summer League action.

The Gators had at least one player selected over six of seven drafts from 2007-13. Florida had not gone four or more years without a player drafted since 1989-94.

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