The newest member of the National Basketball League of Canada’s Summerside Storm is “really excited” to make his debut against the Saint Mill Rats at Eastlink Arena on Friday night. The opening tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
“I know most of the guys on the team (Storm),” said the 23-year-old Robinson, who arrived in Summerside on Tuesday night. “We all have one common goal – to get wins and get to the championship.”
Last season, while playing with the Oshawa Power, Robinson led the NBL of Canada in scoring, averaging 19.86 points a game. The small forward was named a league all-star, rookie of the year and was most valuable player of the all-star game.
This season, his production dropped to 14.8 points a game with the Halifax Rainmen, who ironically the Storm visits on Sunday afternoon.
“A lot of people are talking about that game,” said Robinson. “I’m looking forward to it, a chance to go back at my old team.
“I feel like they (Rainmen) made a mistake by releasing me, but it’s a business and the nature of the beast. I’m on a new team now, and no matter who we play I want to go out and be competitive.”
Robinson explained how things unfolded after Halifax released him on Monday: “After everything happened I got a call from (Storm head) Coach (Joe) Salerno, and I got a call from Moncton. I just felt it was a better fit in Summerside for me.
“I know most of the guys on the team (Storm). We all have one common goal – to get wins and get to the championship.” - Brandon Robinson
“I went ahead and made the decision to come here after I consulted with my uncle (Derek Robinson of Phoenix). I talk to my uncle a lot on decisions, and him and I had a long talk. I just felt this would be a better place for me.
“I like the pieces that are over here (Summerside), and I feel this is going to be a championship-contending team.”
The Storm has wanted Robinson for some time. Ironically, he was the player who was supposed to come to Summerside in a deal that was verbally agreed to by the Storm and Rainmen in late November. However, Halifax backed out of the deal at the last minute before the paperwork was filed with the league making it official.
“I knew that Summerside was interested in me,” said Robinson. “They were on my radar as well because I was interested in them. . .
“There was mutual interest. I felt I was already wanted here, so why not go where you are already wanted?”
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