What will Anthony Robinson’s role be for Virginia basketball?

With Tony Bennett’s surprise retirement continuing to send shockwaves throughout the Virginia Cavaliers basketball program, there are a lot more questions than answers regarding the 2024-25 squad. One of those questions is how big of a role exciting redshirt freshman Anthony Robinson will play this season.

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Robinson is one of the most intriguing players on a Cavalier squad ripe with talent. Hailing from Peachtree City, Ga., Robinson averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks per game as a senior in high school while leading his Christ School Greenies to a NCISAA 4A state championship before redshirting last winter in Charlottesville.

Now, Robinson will compete for minutes in a crowded ‘Hoos frontcourt that includes sophomore Blake Buchanan, a pair of impact transfers in Elijah Saunders and TJ Power, plus four-star freshman Jacob Cofie.

Robinson’s athleticism is off the charts

Robinson is a high-flyer who adds a vertical threat to the Virginia offense. While he hasn’t suited up in a regular-season game yet for the ‘Hoos, Robinson has shown off his hops in several videos from practice this offseason.

While Robinson didn’t show much on the offensive end in the Blue-White Scrimmage, his ability to get above the defense should make him valuable in the short corner where he can receive dump-off passes and convert for easy buckets. Robinson isn’t a guy who will step outside and stretch the defense from beyond the arc yet, but he should have a role as a dunker and a lob threat.

The defensive end of the floor is where Robinson could really excel this season. His length and elite athleticism give him the potential to be a superior rim protector, and he showed off that ability with an eye-popping rejection of Blake Buchanan in the Blue-White Scrimmage. Robinson averaged a pair of swats per game as a senior in high school, and he should fit right in as an anchor of the pack line.

The importance of his physical presence

At 6-foot-10, 250 pounds, Robinson is the most physically imposing guy on the roster. He looked a lot stronger at the Blue-White Scrimmage than he did last season, which will help down low on both sides of the floor.

The ‘Hoos lacked a true front court rebounder last season as forward Ryan Dunn paced the squad with 6.9 boards per game. Robinson and his big frame could go a long way in changing that this year. He showed that he could be a volume rebounder in high school and was active on the glass in the Blue-White Scrimmage. The question marks regarding his role aside, Robinson on paper looks like the Virginia’s best rebounding asset.

Robinson also could have a little Jack Salt in his game. If he can show an ability to read and react in the pick and roll, Robinson’s big frame should be allow him to set some back-breaking high ball screens as well as free up space for Cavalier shooters in mover-blocker sets.

How will he fit into the rotation?

Robinson has a world of potential, but I’m not expecting major minutes for the young big man this season. Buchanan, Power, and Saunders will each undoubtedly play important roles in the front court rotation, theoretically not leaving much room for Robinson.

However, Robinson is the type of player who could make it impossible to keep him off the floor. Even without Tony Bennett, defense is still king in Charlottesville. Robinson’s size, physical presence, and ability to jump out of the gym could easily make him too elite of a defensive weapon to sit.

Additionally, if Blake Buchanan doesn’t take the major step forward that we’re expecting (or deals with foul trouble like he did at times last season), Robinson could easily begin to challenge him for minutes.