Pat Robinson makes his way through a tunnel of his teammates during pregame introductions. Robinson has played basketball at Oswego East High School, University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) and currently for Waubonsee Community College. Photo Courtesy of Britt Crowe.

By: Johnny Crouch, Sports & Activities Executive

Pat Robinson’s basketball journey isn’t defined by his highlight reels or high-profile accolades. It’s built on resilience, determination and a relentless love for the game. From high school stardom at Oswego East to a devastating injury at the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) and a fresh start at Waubonsee Community College, Robinson’s story is one of perseverance. Now, as a key player on a team chasing history, he’s proving that setbacks can pave the way for comebacks.

Growing up surrounded by sports, Robinson tried a bit of everything before basketball became his true passion: “When I was a kid, I tried everything, but basketball was the one that stuck with me.”

Both Robinson’s trainer, Sam Franklin, and his father played crucial roles in shaping his early development, helping him refine his game and build a strong foundation.

Franklin reflected on those early years: “As a middle school kid, he relied on being bigger and stronger than everyone else, but as his handle, footwork, and basketball IQ developed, they combined with his physical attributes to make him a phenomenal driver.”

At Oswego East High School, Robinson thrived as a starting forward, earning First Team All-Conference and All-Area honors while leading his team to a conference championship. 

“We won 50 games and lost fewer than 10 throughout high school,” Robinson said. “Success is what keeps me going. I’ve always loved winning and I really haven’t had any losing seasons since I started playing.”

Robinson’s success at Oswego East earned him a spot at UMSL, where he played Division II basketball as a guard. The transition, however, was eye-opening.

“The competition was a lot better than I thought it would be. Just because everyone focuses on Division I, they might not see it but the Division II competition is really, really good,” Robinson said. 

Being one of the youngest players on the team added to the challenge. Robinson was suddenly surrounded by older, more experienced players who had spent years developing their skills at the college level.

“There were guys on my team that were 23 or 24 years old, and they were in the same position. I was the 18-year-old kid who just got on campus,” Robinson said. “It was a big gap from high school, and I felt like I needed to get a lot better once I got there.”

Although he didn’t see much playing time his freshman year, Robinson gained valuable perspective. 

“Not playing taught me how to be a good teammate even when you’re not on the court. I still have great relationships with all the players on that team, to this day. I still talk to most of them.”

Just as he was poised for a bigger role in his sophomore season, Robinson’s journey took a devastating turn. During a routine practice, he tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus while also spraining his PCL and LCL. 

“At first, it was really bad pain,” Robinson said. “Once I found out what it was, I pretty much knew I couldn’t play my entire sophomore year.”

His dreams of making an impact that season were suddenly put on hold. His injury brought challenges that were as much mental as they were physical. 

“It was definitely hard to go through, not playing a lot my freshman year, and then knowing my sophomore year I was going to play and get my chance, just to get hurt and have to sit on the sidelines again.”

The recovery process was grueling: “The first month after surgery was the hardest. You have to learn how to walk again. You have to learn how to use your leg again. I wasn’t even able to lift my leg up,” Robinson said. “It was a lot of character building and patience.”

Despite the setback, Robinson found new purpose during his recovery. Unable to compete on the court himself, he shifted his focus to mentoring and coaching young athletes.

“I wasn’t able to play, so I found a lot of joy in coaching the game. I was able to help other people a lot, coaching the younger kids over the summer,” Robinson said.

Franklin described how the injury forced Robinson to evolve as a player. 

“It made him really focus more on his shooting and post-ups and less on driving to the basket, which was his specialty in high school, although he still does that very well.”

That shift in focus paid off. Robinson’s first day back in full-contact play was another pivotal moment. 

“His first day back, he played against some of my high school clients to ease his way into it, but his first day going against college players a few weeks later was a real challenge,” Franklin said. “I train some very high-level players, and they kicked his butt pretty good that first day. Mentally, I think realizing how far he still had to go to get back to his old ways was a challenge. He took that challenge and rose to the occasion to keep getting better instead of folding, and that was great to see.”

The time away from competition gave Robinson a chance to refine his skill set. With his ability to drive to the basket temporarily limited, he and his trainer turned their focus to improving his shooting mechanics.

“After the ACL tear, we had the time to make mechanical changes to his shot that have really had an impact this season,” Franklin said. “He was a sub-30% three-point shooter and around a 60% free throw shooter in high school. Now, he’s shooting over 35% from three and 85% from the free-throw line. The shooting development has been the biggest thing.”

Seeking a fresh start, Robinson transferred to Waubonsee Community College, where he found a welcoming environment and a chance to play closer to home. 

“The relationship I had with Coach Lance was great. He’s known me since high school so once he found out I was looking for a new team it was kind of a no-brainer,” Robinson said. “I felt like I also wanted to come back home to Waubonsee, especially so my people could come watch me play.”

At Waubonsee, Robinson has embraced a leadership role. The team’s success this season is a testament to his impact, boasting a 24-1 record. Averaging 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, Robinson has shown his versatility on the court. 

“I like to shoot threes, get to the basket here and there, and post up. I use my size against other players and identify mismatches, ” Robinson said. 

Robinson has been the jack of all trades so far this season, fitting in wherever the team needs him. Typically playing as a forward, Robinson was forced to step outside his usual role early in the season due to an unfortunate injury to starting center Christian Meeks. Naturally, this put him at a disadvantage, forcing him to guard players much taller than him.

Despite this, he has been able to thrive in whatever role he’s given. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Robinson has learned how to maximize his size, even when matched up against taller opponents.

“Just because I’m outmatched height-wise doesn’t mean I am weight-wise, so I’m able to use my strength and speed to my advantage,” Robinson said. 

Robinson’s leadership extends beyond the court.

“I see some of the younger guys going through the same things I did as a freshman,” Robinson said. “So I tell them, ‘You just have to keep going. It gets better.’”

His humility shines when he talks about his teammates. 

“We’ve got the best guards in the country, Booka [Sidibe], Zach [Hayslett], and Tim [Taiwo]. When we get going down the court nobody can really stop us,” Robinson said.

 He went on to praise the team’s energy and depth. 

“I feel like our practices are honestly harder than the games because everyone’s so competitive. It feels like it’s a war,” Robinson said. “Even our second, third and fourth group of guys could go win the conference.”

Robinson’s bond with teammate Christian Meeks, who also transferred from UMSL, has been a highlight of the season. “It’s great to see your brother out there playing with you especially when you’re doing well,” Robinson said. “You can see it on the court, when he scores, I’m charged.”

Robinson’s leadership has evolved throughout the season as well. “I started as a vocal leader, and then I had to view how the guys responded. I think now I’ve shifted to leading by example,” Robinson said. “Our team chemistry is going to determine how good we’re going to be … It’s always easier to pass the ball to your homie than just your teammate.”

As Waubonsee continues its impressive season, Robinson’s sights are set on the ultimate goal. “Of course we’re excited after our wins, but we’re focused on the next one, because we know we’re chasing something at this point,” Robinson said. “We want to win a conference championship, but we’re looking past that. We want to win a regional championship. We want to win a national championship.”

His determination is unwavering. When asked about his favorite moment of the season, his answer was clear: “My favorite moment this season is gonna be when we win the national championship.”

Waubonsee has never won a national championship, making this team’s pursuit of history even more significant. The Chiefs shared the conference title with McHenry College last season, but this year, they are determined to outright win the conference and take their success even further.

Currently, Waubonsee is riding a 24-game win streak, positioning themselves as a serious contender for a deep postseason run.

For Robinson, the journey doesn’t end here. “Next year, I want to play on another full-ride scholarship. I’m not concerned where that is, it just has to be a good fit,” Robinson said. 

After college, he hopes to play professionally and eventually transition into coaching. “Once I’m done, the first thing I’ll probably try to do is end up coaching somewhere.”

When asked what he’s most proud of, Robinson’s answer reflects his character: “As a person, I’m proud of being approachable. As an athlete, I’m proud of being a winner. If you look back at any team I’ve been on, we’ve always won.”

Pat Robinson’s story is about more than basketball. It’s about resilience, humility and finding strength in adversity. As Waubonsee fights for a national championship, Robinson’s journey serves as a reminder that setbacks are just opportunities for comebacks.