The long-awaited decision from Jamal Crawford has officially arrived. The three-time Sixth Man of the Year will not, in the end, be taking a spot on the bench in Lexington.
Crawford broke the news to KSR on Thursday, sharing his choice directly with the outlet. Mark Pope still has an open assistant coaching role, and while many had speculated that Crawford was the leading candidate to step into that position, that outcome is now off the table.
In his statement to KSR, Crawford explained, “Right now, I just can’t do it. With everything going on, it’s not possible. But I have zero doubt that coaching is in my future. None at all.”
Clearly, missing out on Crawford stings, given the wealth of NBA experience he carries, along with his current pulse on the game’s evolution through his AAU involvement and broadcast work. Still, this isn’t the right moment for him and while it’s a pass for now, it’s not necessarily a permanent one. Crawford reportedly gave the offer serious consideration, telling KSR, “If the circumstances were different, absolutely. No question about it.”
With that vacancy still unfilled, Kentucky will now shift gears and look elsewhere to complete the staff. One name that has surfaced as a likely fit is Nick Robinson, a familiar face within the program. Ryan Lemond of KSR recently indicated that Kentucky will “more than likely” turn to Robinson for the role.
Robinson is already embedded in the program, currently serving as director of basketball operations. He followed Pope from BYU, where he spent five seasons as an assistant coach.
Given his prior coaching experience before transitioning into operations, Robinson appears to be a logical choice. He’s already well-versed in the expectations and inner workings of Pope’s staff in Lexington.
With mid-July already here, Robinson offers a practical and timely solution, so it seems probable that he’ll be the one to ultimately fill the opening.
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