Mitchell Robinson is leaving New York, and he wanted to make sure Knicks fans knew how much it meant to him.
Days after agreeing to a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Boston Celtics, the veteran center posted a goodbye on Instagram that felt more like a letter from an old friend than a typical athlete exit statement. He thanked the fans, the front office, and the city that took a chance on him in the second round of the 2018 draft.
“My life is a climb but the view’s great,” Robinson wrote, before getting personal. “New York Knicks fans and the whole Knicks organization, the past 8 years have been the highlight of my life. I can’t thank you guys enough for the journey and opportunities. I know it’s a lot of emotions going around trust me I feel it myself But I will always have love for where it all started! I love you and will miss you! Once a Knick always a Knick.”
The 27-year-old center was part of the Knicks team that finally broke through and won the franchise’s first championship in 53 years. That run changed his career arc, and maybe his life. He averaged 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last season, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Robinson was the anchor of a defense that grinded through the East bracket and beat the Celtics in six games to get there.
Now he’ll be wearing green instead of fighting against it.
Robinson’s new contract is reportedly worth $47.4 million over three years, with the Celtics betting on his rim protection and rebounding to fill a hole in their frontcourt. New York let him walk in free agency, prioritizing cap flexibility for a younger core. That’s business. But Robinson’s reaction shows the human side of a league that sometimes seems all math.
Louisiana declared June 25th Mitchell Robinson Day
Weeks removed from the title, Robinson is still processing everything. He wrote on Facebook that the state of Louisiana — where he played high school ball — declared June 25th as Mitchell Robinson Day. That does not happen every day.
“The last two weeks have been the highlight of my life, and I am finding it difficult to articulate my appreciation for this extraordinary moment,” Robinson wrote. “After battling my personal demons and continuing to push forward, I am grateful to everyone who has supported me on my path to becoming a world champion. The fact that I now have my own day, June 25th, is simply astonishing.”
Robinson has been open about the mental health struggles and personal battles he’s fought behind the scenes. He didn’t always feel like he belonged, even while playing in the world’s best basketball league. That honesty has made him a fan favorite in New York, a city that appreciates grit and vulnerability in equal measure.
“I am still trying to process everything that has happened, and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to God, my friends, and family. Your support during my lowest points, when I felt I didn’t belong, has been instrumental in helping me overcome my struggles and persevere. I appreciate you all. Thank you,” he wrote.
Robinson will be missed in New York. The Knicks are moving forward with younger, cheaper options at center, but few players in recent memory have matched his combination of defensive impact and genuine connection to the fanbase. Boston gets that now. And Robinson gets a new chapter, a fresh start, and a day named after him back in Louisiana.
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