Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 11 No. 3 | January 2019

“I told him, ‘Coach, we don’t want any promises,’” Verdell Robinson said. “He has to earn everything that is given to him. It was that way at Montrose, it was that way at St. James, and it’s been that way with Coach Buzz. Sometimes coaches can’t hold up what they promise.” Vetter’s retirement in 2013 led to Justin playing his final two seasons for a former Vetter assistant who had landed the head job at St. James inHagerstown, Maryland. The move to Hagerstown marked his second move before he was 16. The moves came with challenges. For starters, they kept him away from his family. They also forced him to turn away from the traditional life of a high school student and instead focus mostly on schoolwork and basketball, with little else in the picture. “It wasn’t what a normal high school student would do,” Robinson admitted. “I think it would have been tougher if my parents hadn’t been so committed in supporting me. My parents literally drove up to every game like they do now. It’s something that has kept me balanced and grateful.” The move ultimately led to him receiving numerous scholarship offers. Robinson narrowed his choices to Virginia Tech, Maryland, Providence, Creighton and UNLV. His list certainly was an interesting one. The Hokies were in the Southwest Virginia mountains, but not too far from home. Maryland served as the “hometown” choice. UNLV provided him with the potential for the big city and bright lights. Creighton offered the wholesome Midwestern vibe. Providence played in all the iconic arenas in the BIG EAST, particularly those in New York and Philadelphia “All over the place,” Robinson said of his final list. “Different coaching styles, but they all built a different connection with my family. I still kind of keep in contact with all those coaches today because of the relationship they built with me.” Robinson, though, chose Virginia Tech for more reasons than just his relationship with head coach Buzz Williams. He looked at academics, and he wanted the challenge of turning around the Tech program. The Hokies had finished in last place in the ACC in the three previous seasons before he committed, and he loved the gratification that came with turning around a basketball team—he and his teammates accomplished such a turnaround at St. James. He knew it would be hard—but the hard made it great. He wanted to earn the greatness. “My parents always taught me that, if you’re in a position where they’re giving stuff to you, you might not be in the right spot,” Robinson said. “If you don’t earn it, then it’s not supposed to happen. I’ve been raised that you get what you earn, and that’s something I’ve always lived by. If I see something in my life where I think someone is giving it to me for my name or my ability, I wouldn’t accept it because I don’t think that’s right. I think I have to earn it first.” Robinson arrived at Tech as a confident young man, but also a stubborn one. Williams said that Robinson wasn’t easy to coach at first, and the two butted heads occasionally. Robinson attributed that to each having “short man’s syndrome.” Williams, though, managed to humble Robinson. So, too, did Seth Allen, an extremely talented player who transferred to Tech from Maryland after Williams got the head coaching position. In practices or scrimmages, any time his team needed a basket, Allen took advantage of the younger point guard. But Robinson never took it personally. Like all the great ones, he learned from it—and has been an incredible player in his own right ever since. He has averaged in double figures in scoring each of the past two seasons and figures to do so again this season. As a junior last season, inside.hokiesports.com 29 men’s basketball spotlight justin robinson Continued on page 30