Blue Devil Departures: Duke coach leaves to join NBA coaching staff for a New Chapter with the Lakers
The Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball program will be adjusting their staff lineup as a key member of the team is heading to the NBA. Former Blue Devil standout and recent staff addition Justin Robinson has officially accepted a position with the Los Angeles Lakers as a Player Development Coach.
Robinson’s move comes less than a year after he rejoined Duke’s program in November 2023 as the Director of Player Development. His return to Durham was celebrated by many, not just because of his basketball knowledge, but because of the leadership and energy he brought to the locker room and practice court.
Now, he’s taking that same mindset to the professional level. Robinson will work closely with Lakers players as they look to build a more dynamic and disciplined core. His new role signals an important next step in his coaching journey, one that brings him back into the spotlight alongside familiar faces.
Among those familiar faces is JJ Redick, another Duke legend and the current head coach of the Lakers. Redick and Robinson may not have shared the court as players, but their shared Duke background has clearly helped foster trust and vision in shaping the Lakers’ development path.
During his college career, Robinson played in 55 games for Duke from 2016 to 2020. Despite being a walk-on early in his journey, he developed into a respected leader on the team, becoming a captain in the 2019-20 season. His growth earned the admiration of both teammates and coaches.
Robinson was also part of two ACC Championship teams in 2017 and 2019, playing critical roles in maintaining a competitive edge and culture behind the scenes. His understanding of what it takes to win at the highest level of college basketball made him a natural fit for a coaching role.
At Duke, his work off the court in 2023-24 helped shape some of the program’s young stars. He worked closely with student-athletes on skill-building, mental preparation, and off-court growth — all tools he’ll now bring with him to the Lakers organization.
The Blue Devils will now be tasked with filling the important development role that Robinson held. His departure marks another notable connection between Duke and the Lakers, continuing a legacy of former Blue Devils taking their talents to the NBA in both playing and coaching capacities.
While his presence will be missed in Durham, there’s no doubt that Robinson’s future remains bright. His work ethic, leadership, and deep understanding of the game are now headed to Los Angeles — and the Duke basketball family will be cheering him on every step of the way.
