Q&A: Glen Robinson III

Courtesy of Michael Rand

Q  I read you had a draft party Thursday and your dad was there. But I’ve also read it was mostly your mom who raised you. How much was and is your dad in your life?

A My mom and grandma really raised me. [My mom and dad] weren’t together, but they still had a great relationship dealing with me and my brother. My dad, I spent a lot of time with him during the summers and he really helped my game during his time off. He’s played a big role in my basketball career and my life, period, along with my mom and my grandma. I hope they raised me well; I hope everyone thinks that.

Q I heard they gave you the Dr. Seuss book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” at the draft party. That sounds like a unique gift, right?

A Yeah, they had everyone at the party write a little something from the heart about what they felt about me going to Minnesota or me taking this journey. It was a pretty cool idea.

Q With that book in mind, you were drafted in the second round. Where do you go from here?

A Just continue to develop my game. I thank Minnesota for the opportunity not just because I was so overwhelmed by it but also they really saw something in me that a lot of teams maybe didn’t see. I’m very motivated to become that player. I base myself on Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, two good players I can develop my game into. Just having an overall game offensively and defensively, those are players I really look up to.

Q I read in a story that you were born three months premature. What have you been told about that experience and time in your life?

A I was 3 pounds, 4 ounces. I spent two months in an incubator. My dad was at Purdue, and I think he was coming into the draft. He put a little Purdue basketball in my hand. My mom and grandma always say that was the first time I fell in love with the game. But even back then, I was doubted from the start. That’s kind of been the story of my life. I love it. I love it. It really drives me and motivates me to be an even better player and person.

Q I heard you say earlier that you are a big believer that everything happens for a reason. That said, you were projected as a possible first-round pick a year ago. Any regrets about going back to Michigan for your sophomore year?

A Not at all. I don’t even think about it. Like I said, everything does happen for a reason. … I just want to get better. I used to wake up at 5:30 every morning, and I still do that, get up 500 shots. That’s part of the hard work I put in. Sometimes when I hear people say, ‘He doesn’t have the motor, he doesn’t play as hard as he can,’ it kind of hurts. With the hard work I put in, why wouldn’t I go out and play as hard as I can? I can’t wait to show that here.