Stacey Robinson is an American former

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player renowned for his exceptional high school career in

Washington, D.C Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

., during the 1970s. Widely regarded as one of the most dynamic and impactful guards of his era, Robinson earned national acclaim for his scoring prowess, leadership, and defensive tenacity. Although he did not pursue a collegiate or professional basketball career, his legacy remains influential in the history of D.C. basketball.

Early life and high school career

Stacey Robinson was raised in the Peppermill Village neighborhood of Prince George's County, Maryland. He began his high school basketball career at

Crossland High School Crossland High School is a public secondary school located in Camp Springs census-designated place, unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, with Temple Hills postal address.Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., joining the city's top-ranked squad. Robinson’s explosive scoring and lockdown defense earned him All-Met honors and national recognition as a 1975 ''Parade'' magazine All-American.

Recruitment

Robinson attracted interest from over 400 college programs, though he ultimately did not pursue a college basketball career due to academic eligibility concerns and personal decisions.

Relationship with Coach Auerbach

Robinson developed a close relationship with legendary

Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics ( ) are an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), ...

coach

Red Auerbach Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach (September 20, 1917 – October 28, 2006) was an American professional basketball coach and executive. As a head coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA), he led the Boston Celtics to an unprecedented champio ...

during his high school years. Auerbach, who was known for nurturing young talent in the Washington, D.C. area, took a special interest in Robinson’s development and potential. According to a 2002 profile in ''The Washington Post Magazine'', Auerbach regularly offered Robinson personal encouragement and advice, often calling him directly to check in on his progress. Their connection was rooted not just in basketball talent, but in Auerbach’s belief that Robinson possessed the intelligence, physical ability, and composure needed to succeed at the professional level. While the mentorship did not translate into a formal basketball career, it affirmed Robinson’s reputation as one of the most promising young guards of his generation.

NBA prospect

Though he did not play college basketball, Robinson was seen by some scouts as an NBA-level talent due to his speed, strength, and court awareness. His choice to forgo college, however, limited his path to the league.

Media coverage

•

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...

: A 2002 magazine feature titled “Famous Long Ago” reflected on Robinson’s outsized reputation in Washington, D.C., quoting Notre Dame coach Digger Phelps: The article also recalled Robinson’s 17‑point performance in a nationally covered 1975 victory over Long Island Lutheran, where he outplayed future NCAA standouts Wayne McCoy and Reggie Carter. •

: A 1991 feature titled “Heroes in High-Tops” profiled Washington’s basketball greats and reinforced Robinson’s standing as a local legend. •

The Washington Times ''The Washington Times'' is an American Conservatism, conservative daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It covers general interest topics with an emphasis on Politics of the United States, national politics. Its broadsheet daily edit ...

: A 2024 article reported that Stacey Robinson was among those inducted into the Washington, D.C. Basketball Hall of Fame, alongside Thurl Bailey, James Brown, Adrian Branch, and Penny Toler. •

: A March 13, 1999 article titled “Dunbar Seeks Another Banner Season” referenced Robinson as Dunbar High School’s first All‑Met in 1975 and quoted a younger player who had recently spoken with him—highlighting Robinson’s lasting influence. •

: A 2001 feature titled “65 Years Later, a Place Called Dunbar” revisited the school’s academic and athletic tradition, noting that Robinson transferred there in the mid‑1970s and became its first All‑Met guard. • The Daily Mail (Hagerstown, MD): A 1975 game recap in “Cartwright Unimpressive” reported that Stacey Robinson energized the crowd with a 13-point effort and, alongside James "Turk" Tillman, helped lead Dunbar’s dominance in the Capital Classic. The article emphasized Robinson’s standout showing against top national players, including future NBA center Bill Cartwright.

Legacy

Although he never played college or professional basketball, Stacey Robinson remains one of the most revered figures in Washington, D.C. basketball history. His induction into the D.C. Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024 recognized not only his extraordinary talent but the enduring impact of his high school career. Robinson’s dominance as a high school guard during the 1970s—first at Crossland High School and later at Dunbar—left an indelible mark on a golden era of D.C. basketball. In a region rich with talent, his name stood out for both his ability and the mystique that surrounded him. He was known for his relentless scoring, tenacious defense, and uncanny court vision, earning comparisons to future NBA stars while still a teenager. Local media, coaches, and former players frequently cite Robinson’s story as both a legend and a lesson—a reminder of the power and vulnerability of precocious talent. Despite not advancing to the NCAA or professional ranks, his reputation only grew with time, fueled by playground lore, archival clips, and the reverence of those who witnessed him firsthand. His connection to coaching legend

and attention from prominent figures like

Digger Phelps Richard Frederick "Digger" Phelps (born July 4, 1941) is an American former college basketball coach, most notably of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1971 to 1991. For 20 years, from 1993 to 2014, he served as an analyst on ESPN. He got the n ...

further cemented his national visibility, even as his journey remained rooted in the D.C. streets and gyms. Generations of local players cite Robinson as an influence, and his name continues to resonate in discussions of the greatest high school guards to ever come out of the District.

Awards and honors

Personal life

After basketball, Robinson remained involved in his community, mentoring young players and speaking about the highs and lows of athletic fame. His story has been used to inspire youth to value education and personal growth alongside athletic success.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robinson, Stacey Living people 20th-century American sportsmen American men's basketball players Basketball players from Washington, D.C. Basketball players from Maryland Dunbar High School (Washington, D.C.) alumni Guards (basketball) People from Prince George's County, Maryland Shooting guards Year of birth missing (living people)