Men’s basketball team looks to adjust after unexpected departure

Nick Robinson, a guard for the 2017-18 St. Joe’s men’s basketball team, is transferring to play elsewhere due to “family circumstances.”

The Chicago native received his release on June 29 and is expected to continue his college career near home.  

This decision came as a surprise to those on Hawk Hill as Robinson was the team’s sixth-leading scorer, averaging 7.7 points per game on 46.3 percent shooting during the 2017-18 season.

Head Coach Phil Martelli said he’s going to do his best to find new talent to replace what he called “a missing piece to the puzzle.”

“It’s now an expanded opportunity for guys like Jared Bynum, for Chris Clover, for Lorenzo Edwards,” Martelli said. “We’ll search for guys who are ready for an enhanced role.”

Robinson was expected to fill the offensive gap left behind after Shavar Newkirk and James Demery’s graduation. He had a significant role late last season, earning the title of The Hawks most improved player.

Robinson’s exit comes alongside Demery and Newkirk’s graduation. Regardless, Martelli said, it’s not a clean slate.

“We’re not starting over as a program,” Martelli said. “We really have new players coming off injury in Kimble and Charlie Brown. It’s disappointing for this to happen late in the summer when you’re planning a certain way but it’s not as if we don’t have an answer.”

Martelli said he wants players to naturally pick up leadership roles while looking up to the older, more experienced players.  

He expects continued leadership from two-year captain Kimble, who suffered a season-ending injury November. Kimble stepped up as co-captain and helped motivate the team even though he was absent from the court last season.

Rising freshman four-star recruit Jared Bynum is one example of how younger players might look up to veteran leadership.

“As a freshman, I’m not the kind of guy to have a huge ego,” Bynum said in a February interview. “I can come in and listen to guys. These players have more experience than I do. I just want to be a better player and help the team.”

Robinson’s departure leaves the Hawks with less depth as Bynum and Kimble are the only point guards on the St. Joe’s roster. The Hawk’s performance will depend heavily on players stepping up and avoiding injuries that have previously plagued the team.