Malek Robinson’s Senior Season: Triumph Through Tragedy
by: William Weathers // GeauxPreps.com Contributor
Mark Robinson never wanted to interfere with the coaching of his son Malek at Liberty Magnet. He cheered fiercely from the stands of his son’s games but left the instruction to Patriots’ coach Brandon White.
The younger Robinson looked forward to his post-game talks and the elder Robinson provided feedback for his son who had become one of the team’s standout players.
“The majority of the times he was right,” said Malek, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound guard who leads No. 1 Liberty (23-1) in a Division I select state regional against No. 17 Hammond at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Malek said part of his exposure to the game came from his trips with his father who was an official. Malek often operated the scoreboard clock since he was in the sixth grade, watching his father on the court and developed a greater appreciation for the game’s authoritative figures.
“He said they were officiating the game, and I was playing to win,” Malek’s understanding the relationship between officials and players. “They’re (referees) trying to make sure it’s equal.”
The was nothing balanced about the way Mark Robinson cheered for his son Malek. He was front and center, shouting out his familiar refrain – Pressure – as in pressure defense.
Two months before the start of Malek’s coveted senior year, Mark Robinson passed away at the age of 61 from a heart attack.
“His dad was so instrumental in his life,” White said. “His dad was like our team dad. He was at all games, home or away. His dad was always there.”
To keep his dad’s memory alive within the team, White introduced a white shooting shirt for all team members to wear with a silhouette of Mark Robinson with the word PRESSURE above it.
“I also have a pair of customed shoes and think about what he would be telling me and what he would want me to do,” Malek said.
The message?
“Go score the ball, I need a bucket,” he said with a laugh. “I need a big stop here.”
Liberty is the reigning Division I select state champions and following the jolt of losing his father, Robinson had to deal with another loss of a beloved family member his senior season.
Liberty, with Robinson in the lineup, faced Episcopal in an exhibition at the Smoothie King Center that didn’t count against either team’s record. It was another gut punch for Robinson to absorb, especially since his 96-year-old grandmother – Hilda Robinson – had moved into his family’s home after falling and breaking her ribs.
“She came to live with us,” Malek said. “I told her until she got stronger, she wouldn’t be able to go home. He didn’t want her in a nursing home.”
White debated whether to give Robinson time away from basketball until talking to some of his family.
“I thought he needed to take time, get situated and everything,” White said. “They (family members) were like, ‘no, this may be best for him. He still wants to be around. He still wants to be there for the team’. He played like nothing ever happened.
Two games into the season Liberty, which won its first 11 games, defeated Division II select power Archbishop Shaw, 66-56. Despite adverse conditions, Robinson was never better. He made 10 of 18 shots, scored a season-high 28 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and had 8 steals and 8 assists.
“I kept my feelings to myself,” Robinson said. “I didn’t really tell anyone about it.”
White only marveled at Robison.
“Life’s hard and to endure certain things at that young of an age,” he said. “I’m grown and go through some things. Here’s a kid that I watched experience hardship after hardship and continued to show up and do right. He never played the victim. He’s never sad about anything. He has those characteristics that you need in life to be successful.”
Never missing a day
Malek Robinson continues to find motivation aside from his personal setbacks.
He’s usually among the first to arrive each day at 5:30 a.m. each day on campus for workouts with another coach before attending class.
“It’s like he never missed a beat,” White said. “He’s reached out to check on me. He’s a different type of kid. He’s someone that’s ahead of his time. He never had a difference in his mannerisms, the way he behaved, or his grades. Just to have that type of self-discipline, especially when his primary caregiver’s not around.”
Robinson’s continued to follow a trend that began after the passing of his father. He wanted to channel his energy into the basketball and has remained laser focused every time he steps onto the court for a game.
“That’s what was best for me,” he said.
Robinson was also thankful to his ‘second’ family at Liberty for the role they’ve played this season.
“My coaches, my mom, teammates, family have stepped up big,” he said. “After a game, there’s a whole crew that comes together and makes sure I’m good. I’ve dedicated my senior year to both my dad and grandmother.”
Robinson’s been a four-year member of Liberty’s rise to statewide prominence. He played in four games as a freshman before tearing his hamstring and watched his teammates lose to Archbishop Hannan, 81-60, in the Division II select state final.
“I remember he was hurt that year,” White said. “I won’t forget the image on the bench crying with those tears in his eyes.”
Robinson was part of a core group of players that enabled Liberty to make the successful transition to Division I and the Patriots were considered one of the favorites to contend for a state title during the 2022-23 season. Those hopes were dashed, though, when a fight near the end of the regular season in a game prevented both Liberty and Zachary from participating in postseason play.
Liberty returned last season with Robinson amongst its key players and captured the school’s first state title in boys basketball with a 62-58 victory over St. Thomas More.
Behind established senior leaders such as guard Howard Gaskins, a first-team Class 5A All-State selection, and post players Jaylen Peters and Marquise McPipe, Robinson had earned a key role with his ability to handle the basketball along with Gaskins. He averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.5 steals.
“Coach said I was going to have a big role, that I was going to have to step up and command the team,” Robinson said. “That the ball was going to be in my hands a lot.”
White said Robinson’s work ethic has led to his success as a player.
“He’s just a winner,” he said.
Improved game earns national recognition
A part of Robinson’s life that remains a constant has been his pursuit of excellence in the classroom.
His 3.5 grade point average is the product of a household that emphasized good grades were the best way playing sports.
“My dad didn’t let me play basketball unless my grades were good,” he said. “I’ve been an A-B student the majority of my life. I’ve put some time into books. My (older) brother was gifted. He could sleep all day and pass a test. I’ve got to study.
White emphasizes his players can’t play with more than two C’s or anything lower than a C on their report cards each semester.
“Even during that period when his dad and grandmother passed,” White said, “Malek’s grades never dropped. He’s just different. He’s a winner that works hard every day.”
Robinson said basketball came naturally since he was younger and remains confident of advancing his game to the next level after high school. He plans to pursue a degree in either sports management or engineering.
The naturally left-handed player has not only worked on his game to become an efficient three-level scorer, but his shot has also improved where if defenders sag off, the 3-pointer is a weapon. Should they play tight, he’s quick and fearless enough to drive the paint where bigger defenders are waiting.
“When my brother played, I played up when I was younger,” said Robinson, who also counts his time with Madison Prep coach Jeff Jones’ Louisiana Elite AAU program as a valuable time in his development. “That’s how I slowly got better playing against older guys. I got better and tougher in my age group.”
Robinson estimated that a week after Liberty’s crowning glory last March, the returning members were back in the gym, getting up shots and in an adjacent gym when the Patriots’ home floor was unplayable. They also were regulars in the weight room lifting and endured grueling runs along the levees of the Mississippi River that can break the resolve of a talented player.
Robinson said such inclined runs provide the opportunity for players to find who they can rely on in the heat of a game.
Robinson pointed to fellow senior Carson Franklin, two players in this year’s six-member senior class, which would be charged with the leadership of this year’s team. Guard Chivas Lee, another senior, was the MVP of last year’s state title game that also had plenty of playing experience.
“Last year I had a big role of being a leader,” Robinson said. “This year we had to keep the team intact and make sure they’re doing what they’re doing. On the court, I still feel like I’m playing the same. I’m taking more shots when I’m open this year. We can all make a shot when we need it. Wherever the ball goes that’s who’s going shoot it.”
When the ball finds Robinson, it’s a good bet it’s going to find the bottom of the net.
He’s increased his scoring to a team-high 14.7 this season – one of two double-figure scorers for a balanced team – but he’s also among the team’s top rebounders at 7.0 (6-3 Kingston Jarrell leads at 7.2). Where his game has truly taken off has been with steals and assists – a pair of categories he doubled over a year ago.
Robinson ranks second nationally with 8.2 steals per game and No. 48 in assists with 7.6 per outing. He’s also 162nd in charges taken with nearly one a game.
“He’s one of those guys that pays attention to detail,” White said. “Whatever you tell him, he looks you in the eye and carries it out. He’s a real extension of a coach on the floor. In previous years he could have done more, but he’s one of those unselfish teammates that does whatever needs to be done on the floor.”
There have been plenty of highlights in a career that’s nearing the finish line.
Besides the season-high against Shaw, Robinson has been a guiding force for a team that’s only lost once to a team from Louisiana this season. The Patriots successfully defended their East Baton Rouge Parish championship in December, an event in which Robinson won MVP honors.
Liberty also claimed its second straight undefeated District 4-5A championship in a league that sent all (six) of its teams to playoffs. Not only are the Patriots the No. 1 team in the select bracket, but Zachary and Central are the top two seeds on the non-select side of the bracket.
“This is where it matters,” said Robinson, who has played the second half of the season with a broken finger on his right hand. “Coach White said some people are ready to get the season over and go play baseball, or AAU. We have to come together and win one game at a time. We’re taking it one game at a time.”
White said after a recent practice he engaged Robinson in a conversation about his plans for that evening. Instead of spending time with friends or doing what other normal teenage kids do, Robinson said that he had to return home to take care of his chores.
“He said he was ready to go clean the house,” White said. “Those are things instilled by his father. … They’re still here. He’s just been a joy to coach.”