Former Florida High star helps Missouri take down No. 1 Kansas, shares moment with family
Anthony Robinson II found a familiar person to hug among the hundreds of fans who stormed the court following the Tigers’ home win over then-No. 1 Kansas Sunday.
Younger brother Amare.
“It was really fun,” Robinson II said in a telephone interview.
“The atmosphere was crazy. Students were camping out the night before the game and the student section was packed out even before I got to the gym. People were saying that’s the loudest they had ever heard (Mizzou Arena).”
Missouri's Anthony Robinson former star, Player of Year at Florida High
Robinson, a former All-Big Bend basketball Player of the Year at Florida High, starts at point guard for Missouri. The sophomore finished with 11 points, five steals, four rebounds and three assists as the Tigers (8-1) earned their fifth win in school history over the nation’s No. 1 team.
Missouri, coached by former Florida State assistant (2011-19) Dennis Gates, also withstood a furious Kansas rally to beat the visitors for the first time in 12 years.
The Jayhawks sliced a 23-point deficit to 65-63 with 2:20 left. But Robinson said Tigers relied on an important trait before the frenzied sold-out crowd of 15,061.
“We didn’t panic,” Robinson said.
“The connectivity between us plays a big part (in our success). Even when they made their run, we were confident and knew we were going to win. It was a great (accomplishment) but we just need to keep growing and working hard.”
Robinson is familiar with hard work.
Following his freshman season that saw him make 30 appearances in a reserve role and average 13.4 minutes per game, Robinson remained on campus last summer.
He spent countless hours in the gym and weight room, refining his game and gaining 10 pounds.
Anthony Robinson moves into starter's role at Missouri
The transformation has been impressive.
Robinson has emerged as a playmaker and leader on both sides of the ball this season, moving into the starting lineup and averaging 11.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Robinson scored a career-high 29 points on 8-of-11 shooting in a win over Cal last week. He also converted 13-of-15 free throws.
Robinson, however, said scoring isn’t his primary focus.
“I am always looking to get my teammates the ball first,” said Robinson, who helped Florida High win a state championship.
“Sometimes it just happens that I am able to get my shot and my teammates believe in me. I’ve learned so much from last year. There were some growing pains. … but the game is starting to slow down for me.”
Robinson said it’s important Missouri builds on its win over the Jayhawks as it continues its 10-game homestand against Long Island University Saturday.
He said what made the victory over Kansas extra special was enjoying the moment with his parents and younger brother Amare. The Robinsons arrived Saturday and Amare, a senior starter at Florida High, stayed with his brother Saturday night.
A video of the pair hugging and celebrating on the court was shared across social media.
“It was a really neat moment,” Robinson said.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former Florida High star Robinson helps lead Missouri over No.1 Kansas
