Knicks championship win brings celebration home to Chalmette

Chalmette, La. (WVUE) – The New York Knicks won it all in San Antonio, but the real celebration is happening in Chalmette, home of the team’s 7-foot tall back-up center, Mitchell Robinson.

The Knicks won their first NBA title since 1973, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday. Jalen Brunson scored 45 points, including 13 straight for New York in the fourth quarter.

Robinson is now the first basketball player from St. Bernard Parish to become an NBA champion.

After Saturday night’s performance, Mitchell Robinson is a household name across the nation, but the people of St. Bernard Parish can say they knew him first, back from his days as a star on the basketball court of Chalmette High School.

Parish pride is on the national stage as the Knicks won the championship. The team has not won a title in 53 years. Robinson has the total backing of his alma mater.

“He was a string bean when he was here, but he filled out,” one resident said.

The Knicks drafted Robinson in 2018, one year after he walked the graduation stage. Eight years later, Robinson and the team made history.

“They should’ve done it in four, but they did it in five so we’re happy,” a fan said.

The Knicks won the series 4-1, rallying from double-digit deficits in all four victories.

READ MORE St. Bernard Parish Government to recognize Mitchell Robinson as NBA Champion

Robinson’s path to Chalmette

Robinson is a native of Pensacola, Florida, who transferred to Landry-Walker College and Career Preparatory High School in New Orleans as a sophomore. He didn’t appear in any games and transferred to Chalmette High in time for his junior and senior year campaigns.

Before his junior season at Chalmette, Robinson grew from 6-foot-2 to 7-feet. He was named a starter and averaged 21 points, 13.6 rebounds, 8 blocks, and 2 steals per game while leading the Owls to their first postseason win in 19 years.

He averaged 25.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 6 blocks per game in his senior season.

Other local connections

There were other formerly local standouts catching attention, too.

“Josh Hart and Jose Alvarado, and we love seeing them with all their babies after celebrating. It was wonderful. We thoroughly enjoyed it,” one woman said.

For these parish people, the win hits different with a local connection.

“He played great when he came in. He represented Chalmette real well,” another said.

Bond with former coach

Robinson’s old high school coach, Butch Stockton, was right by his side leading up to the trophy. The two have an inseparable bond, with Robinson inviting Stockton to live with him in New York after his wife passed.

The former Fighting Owl turned world champion has never forgotten where he came from.

“He’s a happy guy, he really is. He’s always laughing. He’s genuinely a good guy. He really is from his heart. He does a lot for people,” a resident said.

He makes it back to his high school court regularly to host a youth basketball camp, where one local’s grandson discovered what he wants to be when he grows up.

“He wanted to be a basketball player like Mitchell Robinson,” the grandmother said.

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