Former Pitt Guard to Play in Bosnia Next Season
PITTSBURGH – Former Pitt guard James Robinson has signed a contract with BC Igokea, a member of Bosnia’s top division. The Mitchellville, Md., native is one of two players from the United States (joined by Southeastern Louisiana’s Brandon Fortenberry) currently on the roster.
“Being able to call myself a professional basketball player means the world to me,” said Robinson. “I cannot wait to start my professional career in Bosnia and experience all that the country has to offer. My four years at Pitt were special and really helped prepare me for this opportunity.”
BC Igokea is slated to compete in the Adriatic League Liga ABA, Basketball Champions League and Bosnian BiH Liga in 2016-17. A year ago, the team finished ninth in the Adriatic League with an 11-15 record before finishing first in Bosnian BIH League with a 15-1 mark. BC Igokea has won four straight Bosnian BiH Liga titles while compiling a 52-8 record in that span. The team is 53-52 in Adriatic League play with a third place finish in 2012-13. BC Igokea also reached the 2013-14 Eurocup, finishing 3-7 overall.
Robinson averaged 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as a senior last season in guiding the Panthers to a 21-12 record and a trip the 2016 NCAA Tournament. He concluded his career as the NCAA leader in assist-to-turnover ratio (3:45:1) and his name is littered throughout the Pitt record books. Robinson, the ACC assists leader in each of the past two seasons, set a school-record with 135 starts and also ranks in the top five at Pitt in assists (5th – 604), consecutive games played (3rd – 136) and minutes played (3rd – 4,203).
One of just three Panthers to accumulate 1,000 points, 600 assists, 400 rebounds and 150 steals in a career, Robinson guided Pitt to 90 wins and three NCAA Tournament appearances in his career.
Robinson joins a long list of Panthers who have continued their basketball career overseas. Pitt has had at least 55 former players sign professional overseas contracts.
