​PORTSMOUTH — Duncan Robinson, the Seacoast native who plays for the Detroit Pistons, is returning to the South Mill Pond Playground basketball courts this weekend to honor his late brother Eli. The 32-year-old, 6-foot-7 forward says the July 18-19 event, which features a tournament and a kids clinic, is about honoring family, boosting mental health awareness, and investing in the next generation of basketball, all in support of the Robinson Family Foundation.
Eli Robinson died by suicide in 2025 after battling schizophrenia, addiction, and mental illness. His family has chosen to keep his legacy alive through the foundation, channeling their grief into a mission that aims to help others facing similar struggles. “It’s super important to my family and me based on what we’ve been through with my brother,” Duncan Robinson said. “And one thing that we’ve really realized is how much his story and his struggle and challenges resonated with other families. There’s so much that we can gain from coming together and talking about these things.”
A deeper look at Eli Robinson’s story and the ongoing fight to raise awareness about severe mental illness illustrates the purpose behind the weekend’s events. On Saturday, the Eli Robinson 3v3 Memorial Tournament will take place at South Mill Pond Playground and is open to participants aged 18 and older. The tournament will feature 16 teams, with each team registration and every point scored contributing to support for the Robinson Family Foundation.
Robinson expressed optimism about the weekend’s roster and activities. “We’ve got a really good group of players coming in to compete and play,” he said, noting that there will also be other influential basketball figures in the community in attendance to show support and help push forward the mission. “It’s going to be a great weekend,” he added.
Sunday shifts focus to younger players with the Duncan Robinson Skills Camp at the Connie Bean Community Center, designed for students in grades 5-12. The camp offers hands-on instruction from coaches and players at the high school, college, and NBA levels, emphasizing skills development and the importance of being a good teammate. The morning session for grades 5-8 runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m., while the session for grades 9-12 takes place from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Registration for the camp is available at r-ff.org/events.
Robinson, who is from New Castle, New Hampshire, and grew up nearby, says Portsmouth and the South Mill Pond Playground played a crucial role in his basketball journey, ultimately helping him reach the NBA. As he approaches his ninth NBA season in 2026-27, he says he’s genuinely excited about returning to his hometown for this Robinson Family Foundation event. He envisions more than just a weekend of basketball, aiming to foster a sense of community where people can come together to support one another and raise awareness about mental health, all while celebrating the game he loves. “I’m really excited for the Portsmouth event,” he stated, adding that his goal is to “create a community environment where the whole community can come together for better awareness and support.”