NBA – Wemby’s Predecessor at the Spurs, David Robinson Speaks Out: “Not Such a Great Option After All”
Long before Victor Wembanyama, David Robinson established himself as the face of the San Antonio Spurs during the 1990s.
However, the former star center once revealed in an interview that he almost never set foot on an NBA court.
The Spurs’ Legacy of Legendary Big Men
The Spurs seem to have a destiny of drafting legendary big men whenever they hit rock bottom.
Victor Wembanyama is the latest example, but he is far from the only one.
In 1997, after a nightmare season that included a long-term injury to franchise star David Robinson, San Antonio was fortunate to land Tim Duncan with the first overall pick.
Robinson himself was a prime example of this pattern, as he was drafted first overall in 1987.
However, he did not make his NBA debut until two years later.
His nickname, “The Admiral,” wasn’t just for show—Robinson served in the U.S. Navy before becoming a professional basketball player.
He played four years on the Navy’s basketball team, competing in the NCAA tournament while fulfilling his military commitments.
David Robinson’s Dilemma: NBA or the Navy?
Robinson was a dominant force in college basketball, and several major programs wanted to recruit him.
However, he hesitated to make the jump to a bigger college program, knowing that it would improve his chances of reaching the NBA.
In a December 2023 interview, Robinson admitted that he wasn’t sure the NBA was the right choice for him:
“I didn’t think it was such a great option because, honestly, it still seemed very unlikely.”
“I mean, I played at Navy, so it wasn’t like I was competing in the ACC, where I would be facing the best players in the country every night. We had occasional big games. We played in the NCAA Tournament. We faced Maryland and Lenny Bias. We played Dayton. We played LSU in Dayton.”
“I think we felt more responsible for ourselves back then. I knew that my future was in my own hands, and I had to take charge of it. That was something I was very aware of. I had a great group of guys on my team, and I felt like the Navy was still going to provide me with a strong and stable future.”
Robinson’s Decision to Delay His NBA Career
Torn between his military service and a professional basketball career, Robinson ultimately chose to complete two more years in the Navy before joining the Spurs.
It was a decision he never regretted.
When he finally debuted in the NBA, he wasted no time making an impact, averaging an incredible 24+ points, 12 rebounds, and nearly four blocks per game in his rookie season.
That was just the beginning of an extraordinary career, which included two NBA championships and an MVP award.
A Risk That Paid Off for Robinson and the Spurs
David Robinson hesitated to pursue professional basketball, as the Navy offered him long-term stability and career opportunities—something the NBA couldn’t guarantee.
However, he took a leap of faith, and it paid off tremendously, both for him and for the San Antonio Spurs.
His legacy paved the way for Tim Duncan and now Victor Wembanyama, solidifying the Spurs’ reputation as a franchise built on legendary big men.
