Azavier “Stink” Robinson is the third addition to Butler's incredible 2025 recruiting class. As of 8/4/24, this class ranks SECOND in the Country.
Don't expect it to end this way, considering only four of the Top 25 prospects have committed, so enjoy it while we can
Stink brings a much-needed floor general to this class, a position Butler has been unable to see held down since Kamar Baldwin graduated.
Since Baldwin played his final game in 2020, the starting PG spot has been filled by four men across four seasons, to varying levels of success. Aaron Thompson took over the starting PG spot in 2020-21, but only played 14 games that season. Freshman Myles Tate was thrust into starting 18 contests, a tall task for any freshman, no less a former three-star. Thompson returned and held down the fort, becoming the school's all-time leader in assists in his fifth season. He graduated, as did the LaVall era and in came Thad Matta and his first PG, Eric Hunter. Hunter… well wasn’t good and felt out of position, which made it clear that the team needed a true PG. Enter Posh Alexander who took over, bringing energy and much-needed toughness, certainly more than enough to be ok with his erratic play at times. He transferred off to Dayton, handing the keys to some combination of Kolby King/Finley Bizjack/Landon Moore, marking the fifth different 14+ game starter in five seasons.
Once those players move on and/or move off the ball, Azavier Robinson will come in and hold down the fort at PG. This will (hopefully) be the first time Butler has had a safe, multi-year option at floor general since Kamar Baldwin played his final game.
Butler beat out a host of local schools for the Lawrence North product including Notre Dame, DePaul, Xavier and Cincinnati.
What He Brings to the Table
Stink is fearless. He’s not afraid of contact, he’s not afraid of a challenge and has that toughness factor you need to compete in the Big East. He gets in the lane effectively and can make a play for himself or others.
He has a wide array of finishing moves at the rim. He’s crafty, very shifty and can beat you going either direction, matching his toughness with some flair to his game. He has a knack for getting to his spots, which generally are right around the bucket.
His jumper is still developing, but he’s got good mechanics. It’s gotten better as he’s gotten more reps, and it likely will continue to do so as he’s developing throughout his career. Stink has legit offensive game, evidenced by scoring 1,000 points for Lawrence North midway through his junior season. But he might just be better defensively.
He’s an intense, physical defender. He’s able to guard multiple positions on the perimeter and does it with an infectious intensity that the rest of the team matches. He moves laterally really well and forces turnovers just by being in your face all game long. He won't give up an inch, playing with that fire that Butler desperately needs out of their PG’s.
Don't just take my word for it, when Robinson was asked what he brings to the table he said "Intensity, defense, I work hard and I play hard all of the time" via 247Sports.
How He Fits/2025 Recruiting Class
He’s the perfect addition to this roster. Any roster with shooters across the floor needs a guard who can get in the lane, find the open man and be a consistent downhill threat. That’s Azavier Robinson.
Defensively, there are some questions about how some of these pieces may fit together. One thing that eases some concerns is a PG who can put relentless pressure on the ball, and make it difficult for the opposition to run what they want to. That’s Stink Robinson.
Depending on where you look, either Robinson or Jack McCaffery are the highest-ranked recruit in program history. However, that doesn’t mean either, or both, will be ready for 25MPG immediately. That doesn’t mean that recruiting scouts didn’t rank guys like Kamar Baldwin too low (scouts aren’t perfect, had a couple of people in my mentions, so I felt the need to include this).
But Stink will have a role on Day One. As a reminder, Kamar Baldwin is one of the greatest players in the history of Butler Basketball. It took him nine games to earn a starting spot. Robinson might not start a game his freshman season, he might match Baldwin’s total and start 23. He might start more, who knows, we’re a year away, it’s far too early to guarantee anything, in a sport like college basketball where the unexpected happens so often.
But as he develops in his college career, Butler fans should feel safe, knowing they have their PG of the future.
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