Glenn Robinson III practiced with his new team Monday. Saturday the Sixers claimed the rookie off of waivers. The Timberwolves released the 2014 No. 40 overall pick last Thursday.
The 6-foot-7 shooting guard appeared in just 25 games for Minnesota, averaging 4.3 minutes 1.2 points.
"I have learned a lot sitting 60 games behind guys like Kevin Martin, Shabazz Muhammad and Kevin Garnett," Robinson said after a lengthy Sixers practice. "I can bring knowledge and energy to this team."
Robinson worked out for the Sixers prior to last year's NBA draft. He remembered the workout not being his best performance, but Brett Brown and Sam Hinkie felt otherwise.
"I had a chance to talk to Sam Hinkie today before practice and he said he remembered it," Robinson said. "They see a lot in me and think I have a bright future."
When Robinson takes the court in a Sixers' uniform, he will become the 25th player to do so this season, setting a franchise high. It could happen as early as Wednesday when the Sixers host the Bulls, though Robinson playing that soon is not a given.
"I don't believe I am going to do what I have done in the past with other new guys where you just throw them in a game," Brown said. "We are loaded up at the wing. It is not that immediate need that I have experienced at point guard. You will see us try to grow him a little bit before we throw him in."
The Sixers have only 19 games remaining. Hopefully, like Isaiah Canaan, Ish Smith, and Thomas Robinson, Robinson will play significant minutes before the regular season ends. Just because playing time was scarce for all those players previously does not mean they aren't legitimate NBA players.
"I learned over the ages that you can't use that as the be-all and end-all for judgment," Brown said. "It can be about the right place, right time. Like all of us, you are waiting for an opportunity. We go into this with an open mind. We try to make it work. We invest time. He will be absorbed into a very strong development program."
Like teammate Jerami Grant, Robinson's dad once played for the Sixers. Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson played on the team during the 2003-04 season. Robinson recalled a couple memories from that time.
"One of my favorite memories he was actually wearing a headband, and he never wears a headband," Robinson said. "A.I. threw a behind the back pass to him on the fast break and he dunked it.
"Also I had a chance to meet Allen Iverson in the locker room back then. I don't know if he remembers, but hopefully I get a chance to see him again. He called me 'Shorty.' I would like to remind him of that."
NBA
Robinson promised no headband for himself.
Notes
Isaiah Canaan did not practice Monday because of an upper respiratory infection. Nerlens Noel did not practice either. He had a left shin strain. Brown expects Noel to practice Tuesday and play Wednesday.