Bucks center Liam Robbins' hard-nosed play stands out in homecoming for Waukesha native

It’s been a circuitous journey for Liam Robbins to return to Wisconsin, which made Thursday night’s game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee a unique experience for the 25-year-old center. And he instantly became a favorite of the home crowd in the Bucks' 107-102 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers , thanks to some hard-nosed screens and effort on the defensive end.

Robbins crushed Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin in the back court screening for Bucks guard Ryan Rollins, drawing an audible gasp from the crowd. He also blocked Maxwell Lewis' dunk attempt at the rim, which got the Bucks veterans off the bench. He earned a technical foul along with Armel Traoré for some extracurricular activity.

“It’s home, but it’s not home at the same time,” Robbins said before the game

Robbins was born in Waukesha and lived in Waterford until he was six years old, becoming a Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers fan. His father, Mark, is from East Troy, but the Robbinses moved to Iowa to be closer to his mother Bridget’s family. Liam said no extended family remains in Wisconsin, but family made the drive from Iowa to see him play vs. the Lakers on Thursday.

It’s a drive he made with his father and brother to the Bradley Center to watch the Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis-era Bucks.

“Before the game we’d go to Kopp’s for burgers, get that and then watch the game and head back to Iowa after,” Robbins said. “It was a doable drive. So, it is kind of weird. Grew up watching these games and stuff and now I’m with them right now. I’m definitely very fortunate to be doing this right now.”

Furthering his Wisconsin ties, Robbins’ uncle Duffy Conroy was an assistant coach under Rob Jeter at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for a decade.

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After moving to Iowa, Robbins began his prep career at Assumption High School. After he re-classified, he finished high school at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas before beginning his college career at Drake University. He then transferred to the University of Minnesota before ultimately finishing up at Vanderbilt University.

A right leg fracture prematurely ended his campaign at Vanderbilt in 2023, but he still was named the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year. He went undrafted that spring but signed on with the New Orleans Pelicans’ G League affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama. Unfortunately, his season ended early again in January when there was a complication with the plate that was inserted from the surgery.

“It took me longer to recover, but I’m fully back now,” Robbins said. “I have no restrictions or anything. I’m back, but it just took a really long time because I needed a second operation. But I’m good now. No issues.”

Robbins, 25, signed with the Bucks at the end of August to be part of the training camp roster and he made his preseason debut against the Pistons on Oct. 6 and blocked three shots.

“That was my first game in like a year and a half so to get back out there, I definitely had a little bit of nerves getting back out there,” he said. “I was really excited. Obviously not perfect by any means but just to get back out there and have the opportunity, just very grateful and count my blessings for sure.”

A day later the Wisconsin Herd swung a trade to acquire Robbins’ returning player rights from Birmingham.

The Bucks currently have the maximum 15 guaranteed player contracts allowed, so it is highly unlikely Robbins will earn a roster spot out of camp. But, there is now an opportunity for him to continue his professional career in his native state.

“I’m excited just for the opportunity to be with the Milwaukee Bucks system,” Robbins said. “Coach Beno (Udrih) is great, getting to know him. The teammates I’ve met so far are all great dudes, so I’m excited for that and develop and see where I can go. I’m getting back healthy from an injury I had last year so I’m just excited for the opportunity to play again.”

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bucks center Liam Robbins' hard-nosed play stands out in homecoming for Waukesha native