If it wasn't clear that 5-foot-9 Nate Robinson's attempted transition from being one of the NBA's smallest point guards to becoming a member of the Seattle Seahawks' blanketing core of defensive backs was a long-shot, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll gave some confirmation on Tuesday.
When asked about Robinson's chances of earning a spot on an NFL roster after a 14-year hiatus from football (he played at the University of Washington in 2002), Carroll was brutally honest: “I think it’s all but impossible," he said, per The Seattle Times.
"It’s as hard as it could possibly get," Carroll continued. "And he’s 32, as well. So it would be, I don’t know if anybody could do it. But if anybody could it might be Nate. He’s that versatile of an athlete and that great a competitor.’’
Robinson played three years of college basketball at Washington as well (2002-05) where he earned two All-Pac-10 First Team selections before ultimately deciding to take the NBA route. He was drafted with the 21st overall pick in 2005 by the Phoenix Suns and hopped around various teams before ending his career with the New Orleans Pelicans this season. He was best known for his electrifying performances at the NBA's annual Slam Dunk Contest, where he became the first player in league history to win the event three times (2006, 2009, 2010).
He announced his intention to pursue his NFL dreams in March and was given a tryout with Seattle on Monday.
“He’s got a lot of work to do,’’ Carroll told The Seattle Times. “He’s getting ready for whatever comes next for him and he’s trying to figure out what he’s going to do, whether it’s going to be in the NBA or overseas playing or whatever. Football is an option he wants to investigate. He’s a great kid. I’ve known him for a long time since way back when and always loved the kid and excited to give him a chance to see where this all fits together with him and we’ll find out down the road.’’
For what it's worth, Carroll also added that Robinson “looked really quick" and "caught the ball really well" during his tryout.
Follow AJ Neuharth-Keusch on Twitter @tweetAJNK
