The Palm Beach Post

Gators’ Robinson declares for draft

Junior standout projected to go in second round.

- By Connor Riley SEC Country

D e v i n R o b i n s o n h a s played his final game for the Florida men’s basketball team.

According to Jon Rothstein of FanRag Sports, Robinson will sign with an agent and declare for the NBA draft, thus ending his college eligibilit­y.

Shortly after the Gators season’ ended in the Elite Eight, Florida coach Mike White said he didn’t expect Robinson to return.

“I t h i n k t h a t D e v i n , with this being his second go - r o u n d p u r s u i n g t h i s thing, I think that it may be diffifficu­lt for him to not follow through this year,” White said. “But we’ll fifind out soon enough. And of course we want for Devin what Devin wants for Devin. And we’re going to support him any way we can.”

As a junior, Robinson averaged 11.1 points per game and 6.1 rebounds. Draft Express pegs him as a second-round draft pick in this year’s NBA draft.

Former Dwyer stando u t p i c k e d i n WN B A draft: Florida State center Kai James and guard Leticia Romero are headed to the WNBA.

James, a 6-foot-5 senior, was taken in the third round of the WNBA draft by the New York Liberty on Thursday night.

Romero was drafted in the second round by the Connecticu­t Sun.

James, a Dwyer graduate, averaged 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds for the Seminoles as a senior last season and fifinished her four-year college career averaging 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds.

She came to Florida State as the third-ranked post player and 22nd-ranked player overall in the 2013 recruiting class.

James averaged 10 points and 11.6 rebounds per game a s a D w y e r s e n i o r a n d was named a McDonald’s All-American in 2013.

J a me s ’ b r o t h e r, J o e l , who’s a ye ar older than Kai and also was a standout at Dwyer, played four seasons for the University of North Carolina. The 6-11 center is now playing profession­ally in Japan.

Romero averaged 12.5 points and 4.0 rebounds for FSU during her senior season.

She also was a 2016 Olympic silver medalist for Spain, joining teammate Leonor Rodriguez as the fifirst two Olympic representa­tives for FSU women’s basketball.

Romero and James are the 11th and 12th WNBA draft picks in FSU history.

T h e S e m i n o l e s f i n - ished 28-7 last season and advanced to the Elite Eight of the women’s NCAA Tournament, falling to eventual national champion South Carolina.

Florida, Miami players also chosen: Florida Gators forward Ronni Williams and Adrienne Motley, a former University of Miami guard, also heard their names called in the WNBA draft.

Williams, a 6-footer from Day tona B e ach who led the Gators in scoring and rebounding this season with 19.2 points and 7.8 boards per game, went in the second round (22nd overall) to the Indiana Fever. She bec ame the 18th Gators player all-time to be selected in the WNBA draft.

Motley, meanwhile, a 5-9 guard and second-team AllACC player out of Newport News, Va., was picked in the third round (32nd overall) — also by the Fever. The senior led the 24-9 Hurricanes with 13.3 points per game.

Jodie Wagner contribute­d to this story.

 ?? STACY REVERE / GETTY IMAGES ?? Miami tight end Julius Thomas (above) is the more likely pass-catcher, with hopes he can be a decent blocker, and Anthony Fasano is the more likely run-blocker.
STACY REVERE / GETTY IMAGES Miami tight end Julius Thomas (above) is the more likely pass-catcher, with hopes he can be a decent blocker, and Anthony Fasano is the more likely run-blocker.

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