Dewayne Robinson is a senior on the men's basketball team at Judson University. He is from Memphis, Tennessee, and is a four-year starter for Judson. He is 3rd all-time in scoring, is a two-time NCCAA All-American, one-time NAIA All-American, four-time All-CCAC 1st-team selection, and the 2007-08 CCAC Player of the Year. He also helped guide Judson to their first-ever CCAC regular season and CCAC Tournament Championship along with a berth to the NAIA National Tournament in the 2007-08 season. In 2008-09, he helped Judson to their second straight CCAC regular season championship.
"My dad has an old tape of me at two [years old] trying to dunk on a little fisher price basketball goal," DeWayne Robinson reminisces about the start of his basketball career. As a senior at Judson University, Robinson has had a solid four years contributing to the school's athletic department. During his time here, he states, "I have had the chance to be around some great people and play against some good talent, so it has helped me find new ways to develop my overall game."
Although DeWayne played football in middle school, he admits that it ended after people worried it would take him away from basketball. Coming to Judson was not an immediate decision for Robinson. He first attended junior college, where he was highly recruited by mid-major NCAA Division I schools. After an injury and leaving that school, DeWayne had thoughts of joining the Air Force.
Before making that commitment, his dad encouraged DeWayne to spend some time with him. His father knew Coach Jim Cook and suggested he meet with him. When Cook saw DeWayne play, he immediately wanted Robinson to play at Judson. "I took the opportunity," DeWayne relays.
"Being a Christian athlete has helped me look at things a different way. I think about certain reactions during a game and try to better myself from game to game," Robinson says, but, "I play hard, regardless." On the Judson basketball team, DeWayne states, "I appreciate the fact that each teammate learns to pray for their other teammates." He continues, "Prayer is a powerful tool and to see such a diverse team praying for each other is a beautiful thing."
In addition to prayer, the team has a lot of great times just goofing around when they're not on the court. "We joke and laugh about things most people wouldn't be able to joke about," Robinson says. "We compete against each other and no matter what happens on the court, it doesn't ruin relationships off the court." When asked about some of the greatest memories from Judson basketball, DeWayne retold a few stories from away games and tournaments.
The first prank Robinson told took place in Branson. The guys were there for the National Tournament in 2008. It involved DeWayne and some friends getting water dumped on them after opening their hotel room door as well as five hundred small cups of water covering their room floor! Then this year, in Michigan, at the Hope College Tournament we pulled a prank on Coach Tompkins. "We told coach we wanted to have a team meeting, and we could see in his face that he was worried," DeWayne starts. "As he came in the room we were all sitting down looking sad, and we told him to have a seat. As he sat down, we immediately jumped on him and began pummeling him. It was the funniest thing ever. Then after like 10 seconds, everybody got off and ran out the room. He walked into an ambush," Robinson finished.
The Judson men's team has many facets of closeness. Basketball also teaches the guys lessons that can be applied to life. "Being an athlete teaches a great deal of lessons," DeWayne tells. "One is that you have to work even when no one is watching. This played a great role in my confidence and really helped me stand out as an athlete." Consistency is something Robinson has learned through his years at Judson. Another truth DeWayne explains he has realized is that "My greatest competitor is myself."
