Star Huskies guard to stay for at least one more season

SEATTLE (AP) — Nate Robinson will be a Husky for at least one more year.

Robinson announced Thursday he will return to school for his junior season, bypassing an opportunity — for at least one more year — to pursue an NBA career.

”I'm going to take Husky basketball back to where it needs to be, back to a winning program like we did last year, and even better,” Robinson said at a campus news conference. ”Getting the Pac-10 championship, going to the big dance again, and trying to win a national championship.”

His decision initially was reported by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

The 5-foot-7 Robinson was a key member of the Huskies, who went 19-12 last season and reached the NCAA tournament. He averaged 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals as a sophomore.

NBA scouts projected Robinson as an early to middle second-round draft pick. Robinson said he hopes to use an additional college season to improve his status and move into the first round.

”I think another year in college will help me be the best player I can be,” he said.

Washington coach Lorenzo Romar welcomed the decision but said he would have supported Robinson either way.

”I'm pleased he's made a decision he's comfortable with,” Romar said.

Robinson's stock soared at this month's NBA pre-draft camp in Chicago, where he dazzled NBA scouts and executives with the speed, quickness and tenacity that Washington fans have come to appreciate.

Robinson also had a 90-minute visit with Jameer Nelson, the 5-11 point guard from St. Joseph's who decided to return to school and became national player of the year last season.

”He said it was hard knowing you're good enough and better than most of these guys, but teams won't guarantee you'll be picked in the first round or picked at all,” Robinson recalled.

”By him talking to me and telling me that, it gave me confidence,” he added. ”It came out of his mouth. Him being the player of the year, being 5-11, a short guy who's a guaranteed first-rounder now, that influenced me.”

There were economic considerations, too.

The first player taken in this year's second round will receive a $385,000, one-year salary that is not guaranteed. The last first-round player receives a three-year guaranteed contract worth $700,000 for next season.

”That's a big gap,” Robinson said. ”I really wasn't worried about it. I just wanted to play, to be a part of the NBA.”

Robinson said he made the decision late Wednesday after meeting with his mother, father and other relatives.

He acknowledged he'll need to improve his leadership and point guard skills next season. Because of his size, NBA executives probably would prefer to see him run the floor a little more.

Robinson has played in college on the wing, but it's unlikely he'd handle the ball more unless it's within the team context. Romar was asked if Robinson might focus more on his individual skills next season.

”I don't think he has that in him,” Romar said. ”He's such a competitor. He just does whatever he can do to win the game.”

So far, it's been a mistake for anyone to put a label on Robinson.

He's usually the shortest man on the court, but he consistently makes big plays and finds ways to help his team. His soaring dunks were national highlight show staples last season.

”I don't think it's as much (about) point guard as decision-making,” Romar cautioned. ”Don't put Nate in a box. Just put him in the game, line him up and watch what he does.”