COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- With a busy recruitment that appears to be nearing its conclusion, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl took a break from his official visit schedule to attend this weekend's USA Basketball Junior minicamp. Robinson-Earl was one of two dozen senior prospects invited to this prestigious session. It’s not an official tryout, and he already won a gold medal with the USA’s U18 National Team this summer, but in the past this event has played a role in selections to the Nike Hoop Summit next spring. With official visits already logged to Notre Dame, Villanova, UNC, and Kansas, Robinson-Earl will travel to Arizona next weekend to complete the tours of his finalists.
Interview by Michael Visenberg
How was your first training session?
It was really good. We were able to really get after it. I feel like the elevation wasn’t really affecting us, so we were able to really get after it. We weren’t tired, people didn’t have to go get drinks and we could really bring our full effort every possession.
How was your experience this summer with the USA U18s at the FIBA Americas in St. Catherine’s?
It was really fun. The basketball was great, but outside of that we were ready to go home. The basketball was a lot of fun, winning a gold medal, being in a small category of gold medalists. Not everybody can say that, and it was a lot of fun.
What are the chances of you playing in the U19 World Championships next summer?
I would say that is another goal, to go back-to-back. Since the last time they took bronze, a lot of coaches out here say how much that kills them. It will be a lot of fun coming back here, trying again with teammates, friends and trying to make the team and compete to win another gold medal.
What prompted your move to IMG Academy?
I just wanted to get better. I wanted to be around like-minded people. I have a bunch of friends that go there and we are going out doing what we love, trying to go to the next level, NBA. We are going out to practice, lifting weights, and trying to get better without staying content with where we are currently.
What are some of your goals for the upcoming season?
The main goal is to win the GEICO National Championship. That’s the main goal, honestly.
Tell me about some of your IMG teammates, how has it been with all of these new transfers and returnees adapting to a new environment?
(Ar)Mando (Bacot) is one of my best friends. When we played on the U18 team that was really the first time we hung out a lot and we were talking about who was going to be transferring, either to Montverde, IMG, Oak Hill or whatever. But before I even announced I was going to go to IMG, I told him we could really be good. We really enjoy playing with each other, so that has been a lot of fun playing with him. Also with Jaden Springer, he’s a competitor. Jarace Walker, Dior Johnson are a couple of freshmen who really want to get after it. Brandon Huntley is a sophomore with a lot of potential. Josh Green, committed to Arizona, is a great player, so it has been a lot of fun.
What has been the focus with training and college preparation?
Getting stronger, expanding my game to different dimensions. All the coaches tell me I am a versatile player. I just feel I need to be inside, outside, rebounder, passer, all that stuff. So, being the most versatile player I can and being most effective I can be on the court.
How have the possible depth charts of your finalists affected your view on recruiting?
It has played a part. Sometimes I get stuck at the '5' and most of the time I am not the biggest guy on the floor. In college there are 6-11, 7-0 guys, 280, whatever, and I want to make sure I get in a situation where I can be a versatile '4.' Not being stuck guarding the biggest dude on the floor. Unless teams want to play small ball and we do a lot of 5-out, 4-out 1-in motion, I am good with that.
Would you prefer to be on more of a running team in college?
I like to go and get after it, not just settle down and run some plays. Go out there, get after it and have fun.
What are some of the most important factors in your college decision?
I would say what I just talked about, being versatile, positionless. Coaches that want the best for you, because you can see the ones that really mean it and the ones where it is maybe just a recruiting pitch. But I just feel like coaching staff, environment, fan base, family, all of that can add up to a really special college experience.
Do the coaches of your finalists differ in how they see your potential role?
I think a lot of them view me as the same, they see that I can be a versatile '4.' When I went out on visits they show me film of players from the past that have been kind of what I do, dribble outside, shoot threes, going inside when they have a mismatch. Emphasizing great footwork, they’ve shown me they feel that I can be a versatile '4' and most of the coaches seem to feel the same way.
How have your official visits gone, did they live up to your expectations?
Yeah, they have all been a lot of fun. Really getting to know the schools. Because going to all of them, besides Kansas which I have been to a lot, I had not seen a lot of them personally. Being able to learn more about them, their coaching staff and being able to interact with them. Since I just text a lot of them, being able to interact with them and build relationships was great to do in person.
Any local spots in Chapel Hill that resonated with you on your visit to North Carolina?
There was this burger joint they took me to, I can’t remember the name, but it was right on campus. It was little steak burgers, we all took a picture and stuff like that, I really liked it.
Any in-home or in-school visits from schools planned?
They just kind of come and go. It is not really a set date, they text me a day or two before. But everybody has been there, Villanova, Kansas, Notre Dame, UNC and Arizona have been on campus.
When was the last time you talked with Roy Williams and what was the conversation about?
Talked to Roy not too long ago. We were just talking about the visits, pros and cons about schools. To see what they have that fits me and talking about what I like and what I don’t like in schools.
You visited North Carolina with Josh Green, who recently committed to Arizona. How does his decision impact yours, did you guys ever talk about playing together?
Nah, we never really talked about playing together. It would be a lot of fun and we could complement each other really well, a lot of high energy and we are ready to get after it a lot. If it happens, it happens, but I am just happy for him that he committed to Arizona.
Is there any timeline for your college commitment?
So, I take a visit to Arizona next weekend, an official. After that, I want to at least commit before the season starts in late November. But if I am feeling it, then I may get it over with and commit.
Are you familiar with the Nike Hoop Summit and what would it mean for you to be selected to play in the 2019 game?
I am familiar with it. I talked with Quentin Grimes, who was on the U18 FIBA Americas team. He told me it was a lot of fun to go out to Portland, be in that environment and have a good time. It would be an honor to be chosen out of the 25 players they have (at USA Junior Minicamp). Being chosen among the top 12 guys, it just shows that your hard work paid off and they reward you with a trip to the Hoop Summit.
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