ON A ROLL: Wesley Robinson of YSU dribbles upcourt in recent action in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. Last Wednesday, former Manhattan University star and current Portugal pro league player Robinson scored 10 points to help YSU defeat Jefferson Plumbing 53-35 as it improved to 3-0. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)
By Bill Alden
After starring for the Manhattan University men’s basketball program, Wesley Robinson headed overseas last winter to play in Portugal’s pro league.
“It was a cool opportunity for me to see European basketball,” said Robinson, who competed for Clube Atletico Queluz in the Portuguese Liga Betclic. “The transition from college to European pros, it is a little more physical.”
Returning to the U.S. in May, Robinson was fired up for the opportunity to play another season for YSU in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League.
“It is always fun to come outside in the summer with the guys and have good energy,” said Robinson, a 6’7, 210-pound guard who hails from Burlington and played for Life Center Academy in high school. “We have been playing with each other for a couple of summers in a row. It is always fun just trying to get back and win.”
With YSU having rolled to a 2-0 start this summer, topping J Majeski Foundation 58-39 and posting a 94-52 rout in NJ Path, it found itself in a battle with a feisty Jefferson Plumbing team last Wednesday. Clinging to a 25-23 lead early in the second half, YSU reeled off a 21-7 run to break the game open as at pulled away to a 53-35 victory.
“It was just turning up our defense and turn defense into offense,” said Robinson. “That allowed us to get a big lead.”
Robinson led YSU with 10 points as he picked his spots at the offensive end while Freddie Young Jr. chipped in nine in the win. Joell Idrovo scored 11 to lead Jefferson in the loss.
“I am always trying to make the right play for the team,” said Robinson. “It is never about the box score.”
While Robinson isn’t focused on his stats, he averaged 18.0 points a game last year, helping YSU advance to the league’s best-of-three championship series where it fell to Lob City.
“I ended up being the regular season MVP last summer,” said Robinson. “I am just looking to build on that.”
As YSU looks to contend for the title this summer, it has built up its roster to give it added depth.
“Last year, I think we had seven or eight players, now we have 11, 12,” said Robinson. “We are able to just run up and down. Really the main goal for us is run until you get tired and then someone else comes in.”
In Robinson’s view, utilizing that strength in numbers at both ends of the court is a key to a big summer for YSU.
“We are looking to get back there again,” said Robinson.
“The main thing for us is grinding, playing on the defensive end and making sure that we stop teams.”