Charlotte, N.C. ? Thomas Robinson made a quantum leap during his junior year at Kansas University.
He spent Friday morning trying to convince the Charlotte Bobcats that he has even more upside.
Robinson and Connecticut’s Andre Drummond worked out for the Bobcats as part of Charlotte’s evaluations for the June 28 NBA Draft.
The Bobcats own the second pick and are considering several options on the assumption that New Orleans will select Kentucky’s Anthony Davis at No. 1.
“I feel I have potential to develop even more as a player,” Robinson said. “I still have a high ceiling. I feel I’m nowhere near complete as a player, so I think I have more upside than people think.”
Robinson, at 6-foot-9, and the 6-10 Drummond represent intriguing options should the Bobcats decide to take a big man with the No. 2 pick. Earlier this week the team worked out guard Bradley Beal of Florida and small forwards Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Kentucky and Harrison Barnes of North Carolina.
Robinson, who played in the shadows of Cole Aldrich and Marcus and Markieff Morris during his first two years at Kansas, blossomed as a junior this past season, averaging 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds. He led the nation with 27 double-doubles and was a first-team AP All-American.
Bobcats officials, including owner Michael Jordan and new coach Mike Dunlap, declined to comment after the workout. But NBA scouts in general like Robinson’s explosiveness, his motor and his rebounding ability.
“I’m a little better off the dribble than people think,” Robinson said. “My shot has gotten a lot better since the season was over. I’m learning how to read the defense better than I ever did before, so I’m just learning a different pace of the game and it’s helping me.”
Joining Drummond and Robinson at Friday’s workouts were Kent Bazemore and Chris Cooper of Old Dominion, Ramone Moore of Temple and Josh Owens of Stanford.
