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Come Fan with UsWednesday, August 5, 2026

Mitchell Robinson inviting high school coach to live with him is NBA’s best feel-good story

Mitchell Robinson’s former high school coach shared a touching story of how he became roommates with the Knicks center.

Ricky O'Donnell
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.

Mitchell Robinson’s high school coach was interviewed by sideline reporter Rebecca Haarlow during the second quarter of the New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons game on Thursday night, and shared a beautiful and touching story about his former player.

Butch Stockton coached Robinson at Louisiana’s Chalmette High School where he became recognized as a five-star recruit and future pro. Robinson was there for Stockton earlier this year when he was going through one of the hardest times of his life: Stockton’s wife Dawn was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Robinson came to visit the Stocktons in the hospital frequently. When Dawn passed away in Sept., Robinson invited his former coach to move to New York and live with him.

Watch Stockton tell the story during the game here:

“When my wife was in the hospital, Mitchell came each day to visit her, Stockton said on the broadcast. “Became very close to myself and my wife and after the funeral, Mitchell told everyone that he was gonna bring me to New York with him.

“He said, ‘Coach there’s no reason you stay down here in Louisiana anymore. You come to New York with and enjoy yourself and get your mind back straight because you know how much you loved your wife.’”

Robinson signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Knicks in 2022. The 25-year-old center now has a new roommate.

Robinson shared a photo of himself with Dawn Stockton before her passing.

“Stockton and Robinson have been watching Christmas movies together and Stockton has helped look after Robinson’s dogs,” according to the New York Post.

Robinson is having a fantastic year for the Knicks, and he helped them earn another win over Detroit on Thursday. It’s wonderful to see an NBA player be there for his high school coach during such a trying time. There have been some bad stories in NBA over the last year, but this one is truly heartwarming.

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