GMC Hoops remembers former Woodbridge hoops standout, Zaire Robinson, shown here going up for a score for Raritan Valley against County College of Morris back in November 2016. Robinson passed away in August 2022.
Former Woodbridge and Raritan Valley CC Standout Passed Away in August
WOODBRIDGE, NJ – Last summer, the Greater Middlesex Conference boys basketball world lost another of its standout players too young. Former Woodbridge and Raritan Valley Community College standout, Zaire Robinson passed away suddenly in early August. According to an article on NJ Hoops, Robinson had a seizure while driving and died two days later on August 4, 2022.
Robinson was part of a Woodbridge Barrons team that reached the GMCT Quarterfinals twice in 2014 and 2015. His highlight reel dunk versus Perth Amboy Tech (Woodbridge won 54-39) in the 2015 GMCT Round of 16 was one of the most memorable moments from the 2014-15 season. He was also present when Quassim Glover hit his shot heard around Woodbridge Township to defeat Sayreville (53-50) at the buzzer in Barrons Country on January 15, 2015.
During those two seasons at Woodbridge under then head coach, Matt Gigliello, the Barrons compiled an overall mark of 31-21 including a divisional record of 19-9. In Robinson’s senior year, the Barrons finished second to eventual GMCT champion, Colonia in the GMC White, and concluded its season at 18-9 overall including an 11-3 mark in division and 14-5 record in the GMC.
Robinson played varsity boys basketball for three seasons at Woodbridge. In his career for the Barrons, Robinson played in 78 games and tallied 616 career points on 211 total field goals including 40 threes and 151 free throws according to NJ.com. Most of his career points were compiled during his junior and senior seasons at Woodbridge. He also played football for the Barrons his senior year.
In 52 games, Robinson made 195 total field goals including 27 threes and clicked on 144 foul shots for a total of 564 points, or an average of 10.8 points per game. During his senior season in 2014-15, Robinson scored 323 points on 116 total field goals including 13 treys and 82 free throws in 27 games to average 12.0 points per contest.
After graduating Woodbridge High in June 2015, Robinson moved on to play at Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch. He played two seasons at RVCC, and averaged 12.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game over 55 games. After compiling 7.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.9 steals per game for RVCC his freshman year in 2015-16, Robinson became the 5th ranked sophomore in the JUCO ranks according to NJ Hoops in 2016-17.
During his sophomore campaign at RVCC, Robinson played in 28 games including 26 starts. He averaged 32.7 minutes, 16.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game for the Lions. In addition, Robinson had an assist to turnover ratio of 1.5, connected on 157 of 380 shots overall for 41.3 percent, and knocked down 44 of 133 three point attempts for 33.1 percent. Robinson also made 113 of 191 free throw attempts.
Over those two years at RVCC, the Lions compiled an overall mark of 36-20 including a GSAC record of 13-10. In both years, Raritan Valley Community College reached the Region 19 Division 2 semifinals. In 2015-16, RVCC lost to Manor College (87-73) and in 2016-17, the Lions fell to Rowan College at Burlington County (81-78).
GMC Hoops got a chance to see Robinson in action for RVCC in a GSAC and Region 19 Division 2 match-up against the County College of Morris on November 29, 2016 in North Branch. In that game, Robinson played 40 minutes, connected on 7 of 16 shots from the floor and sank 3 of 5 from the line for 17 points while also collecting 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. He only committed two turnovers for an assist to turnover ratio of 3.5 in a 92-78 victory.
Robinson was the younger brother of Daishon Robinson, who played for Chris Banos at J.F. Kennedy. The elder Robinson helped lead the Mustangs to the 2011 GMCT Quarterfinals before losing to Bishop Ahr (now St. Thomas Aquinas) at Middlesex County College. Kennedy’s biggest win was in the GMCT’s Round of 16 when Robinson scored a team high 19 points in a 68-58 upset of then 4th seeded North Brunswick.
Zaire Robinson went on to be an assistant coach on Kevin Ryan’s staff at RVCC. He also mentored a lot of young basketball players in Woodbridge Township. On October 1st, friends of Robinson came together and organized a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the Acacia Youth Center in Woodbridge. Proceeds from the event raised money for his then 3 month old son’s college fund according to TAPinto Woodbridge/Carteret.