New York Knicks second-year phenom Mitchell Robinson is donating money to a worthy cause, blocking out children’s cancer.
According to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson has promised to donate $100 to the “Tackle Kid Cancer” organization for every block during the 2019-20 season.
According to report, the Hackensack Meridian Health Children’s Cancer Center Institute is partnering with the Knicks and the Garden of Dreams Foundation to create the Blocking out Childhood Cancer initiative.
The Knicks had already pledged $50 per block for the entire 2019-20 season, and Robinson decided to double those efforts on his own blocks. Last season, the Knicks, as a team totaled 422 blocks and Robinson had 161 of those blocks in an impressive rookie campaign. The young Louisiana native only played in 66 games, and his sophomore season promises to be even more stout on the defensive end.
Robinson’s philanthropic side won’t come as a surprise to those who know him best. Vorkunov recently wrote an insightful piece on the 7-foot phenom, detailing his southern roots, family circle and rise as one of the most intriguing prospects in the NBA. Robinson’s grandmother, Marilyn Thomas, the matriarch of the family, raised Mitch as well as six other children/grandchildren.
“He has a heart of gold, It’s nothing he wouldn’t do for nobody,” Thomas says of her grandson. “That’s mainly, too, what I’m here so I can be the bad one for him because he doesn’t know how to say no. I know how to say ‘No’ nicely”.
Head coach David Fizdale has often talked about building a culture of talented athletes that are good people off the court. Robinson’s bright career might still be in its infancy but his awareness and understanding of community and sacrifice are right on the mark. New Yorkers will be thankful for that.