Mitchell Robinson has a special relationship with Butch Stockton, who was his basketball coach at Chalmette High School in Louisiana.
Stockton watched as Robinson helped lead the Knicks to a victory on Thursday night and during the broadcast, the high school basketball coach spoke about his relationship with the big man.
The coach unfortunately lost his wife, Dawn, after a battle with cancer. Robinson’s most recent post on Twitter was a tribute to her.
Mitchell Robinson invited his high school coach, Butch Stockton, to move in with him after his wife died this year 💙
Robinson visited Stockton's wife every day in the hospital when she was sick. What a story 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ng2mdexvvd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 1, 2023
Here is more from Stockton, who explained that he is currently living with Robinson:
“My wife passed away in September….When my wife was in the hospital, Mitchell came each day to visit her and became very close to myself and my wife. After the funeral, Mitchell told everyone that he was going to bring me to New York with him. He said, ‘Coach, there’s no reason for you to stay down here in Louisiana anymore. You come to New York with me and enjoy yourself and get your mind back straight.'”
The coach described it as a “great situation” living with Robinson.
Later in the game, Robinson connected on both of his free-throw attempts and the Knicks broadcast showed Stockton celebrating in the crowd.
Mitchell Robinson hits both FTs then gets a fist pump from his former coach 😢 pic.twitter.com/TG5P8eLTAM
— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) December 1, 2023
After the game, Robinson said Stockton “looked out” for him and helped him get to where he is today.
Robin said he plans for Stockton to live with him for the rest of the year.
Mitchell Robinson shares more on his high school coach, Butch Stockton, who was invited to live with him after his wife passed away this past summer: pic.twitter.com/S2aQecYX9D
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) December 1, 2023
For more on how Stockton helped Robinson when the big man was in high school, Mike Vorkunov had a fantastic profile (via The Athletic):
“Robinson was raw but obviously talented. Stockton lined up tutoring and found teachers who took care of him, ensuring he focused on academics, too. On the court, Stockton tried to get Robinson to harness his many skills. He was already a 7-footer who could run and jump and finish with a smoothness that belied his size, so they began to work on his ball-handling and his shot. Major college coaches sieged Chalmette practices.”
According to Vorkunov, the Knicks center still keeps several pairs of shoes and other personal items at the high school in Louisiana.
Robinson’s relationship with his coach and his alma mater is inspirational.
