From pregnancy to his first birthday, Mitchell Robinson has cherished every moment with his daughter.
Mitchell Robinson has established himself as a formidable presence in the NBA since being selected by the New York Knicks with the 36th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft.
Standing at an impressive 7’1″ with shoes, Robinson took an unconventional path to professional basketball.
Rather than playing college basketball, he made the unprecedented decision to withdraw from Western Kentucky University to train independently for the 2017-18 season before entering the draft.
Robinson quickly made his mark in the NBA with his exceptional shot-blocking ability and elite rebounding skills.
During his rookie season, he set summer league records for blocked shots and offensive rebounds, and finished second in the NBA in blocked shots per game, earning him a spot on the All-Rookie Second Team.
Throughout his six seasons with the Knicks, Robinson has overcome various challenges, including injuries to his right hand and ankle.
In 2022, he signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Knicks, cementing his place as a key component of the team’s future.
While not known for his scoring (averaging 7.4 points per game in the 2022-23 season), his effectiveness on the glass and defensive presence make him invaluable to the team’s success.
Mitchell Robinson Cherishes Life With His Daughter
In July 2023, Mitchell Robinson’s life changed forever when he and his partner, Lindsey Luquet, welcomed their daughter Riley into the world.
The couple had announced their pregnancy on April 9, 2023, when Luquet shared a baby onesie on Instagram with the message, “Something sweet is coming this July.“
The journey to parenthood was filled with excitement and anticipation for the couple.
On June 28, 2023, they celebrated with a baby shower attended by friends and family, including fellow Knicks big man Isaiah Hartenstein. Luquet expressed her gratitude on social media, writing,
“Still can’t believe there are only a few short weeks until we get to take our girl home! Thank you to all of our friends and family who came from near and far to celebrate with us!”
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When Riley finally arrived, Robinson couldn’t contain his joy. He proudly announced her birth on social media, sharing photos of his newborn daughter with the simple caption,
“My Riley girl! 💕”
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This marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life—one that would profoundly impact him both personally and professionally.
Robinson has been open about how fatherhood has transformed him.
In a heartfelt message to his daughter posted on Instagram, he wrote:
“Riley baby, you truly are a blessing sent to me from God. I’ll always be grateful for having you in my life. You help me in so many ways you probably would never know. You help me become a better person, a better man, and you challenged me to be a better father.”
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The NBA center credits Riley with giving him strength during difficult times. He shared,
“You are the reason I can wake up and keep going despite all the things going on in my life—injuries, family stuff, basketball stuff. Seeing you when I’m moving around and you tracking me and I look at you and you have this huge smile on your face is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
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As Riley grows, Robinson continues to cherish every moment with his daughter.
On July 21, 2024, when Riley celebrated her first birthday, Robinson reflected on how quickly time had passed:
“Happy 1st birthday, Riley I can’t believe you’re one year old already. You’ve grown too fast, my girl.”
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The family celebrated with a cream-themed party, and Robinson added,
“Watching you grow this year has been amazing to me. Waking up to your smiles and laughter make me feel like I’m doing the right things for you. I may not be the best dad but I’m definitely a trying dad! I love you so much Riley 🩷”
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Throughout Riley’s first year, Robinson has documented precious milestones on social media. At her six-month mark, he wrote:
“I guess this is what people mean when they say enjoy it because it goes by fast. My baby is already 6 months today and in 6 months from today she’ll be one year old. Can’t wait to see the future with you 🤍🤞🏾”
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For Mitchell Robinson, being Riley’s father has become his most cherished role.
As he balances the demands of his NBA career with family life, one thing remains clear: his daughter has become his greatest motivation and source of joy.
Through Riley, Robinson has discovered a new purpose that transcends basketball—being the best father he can possibly be.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mitchell Robinson first started playing basketball in eighth grade during a growth spurt that took him from 6’2″ to 7’0″.
- As a high school senior at Chalmette, he led the team to their first district championship in 20 years and to the state semifinals for the first time in 32 years.
- He was named a McDonald’s All-American in high school and scored 14 points with 2 blocked shots in the 2017 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game.
