Larry Rubama: Landstown’s longtime coach marvels at success of his sons during special season

Its been quite a basketball season for brothers Donald Hand Jr.

and Damien Robinson.Hand stars for Boston College, while Robinson, just a freshman, is a standout for Landstown High in Virginia Beach.

He helped lead the Eagles to the Class 6 semifinals, where they fell Friday night to defending state champion South Lakes.Landstown coach Dwight Robinson lights up when he starts to talk about his sons, and he and his wife, M.

Janeice, have enjoyed the ride this season.

Its exciting when you see your kids excel.

You just feel proud.

You feel happy for them, said Robinson, who has been Landstowns coach since the school opened in 2001.

It makes you proud when you see both of your guys out there doing well because you know what kind of work they put in, too.Hand, nicknamed DJ, is a redshirt sophomore and Robinsons stepson.

His biological father, Donald Sr., is a former star guard at Virginia who in 2015 was honored as the Cavaliers ACC Mens Basketball Tournament Legend.

He still ranks among the top UVA players in career scoring, steals, assists, free throws and 3-pointers.As a freshman he suffered a season-ending knee injury.

He returned the next season and played in 34 games, averaging 15 minutes per game and reaching double figures seven times.This season, he is third in the ACC in field goal percentage (87%), fifth in 3-point field goals made (2.3), 13th in scoring (16.3) and 17th in rebounding (6.2).Hand and his father became the first father-son duo to each earn ACC Player of the Week honors in their respective careers.

The conference began its weekly awards program during the 1972-73 season.He felt like he could have done some of these things last year, Robinson said, referring to his stepson.

We just had that conversation the other night.

Your time is not always Gods time.

We have to learn how to cherish the time and when God puts that moment in place, hes prepared you for that moment.Boston College guard Donald Hand Jr., shown moving the ball downcourt against Duke earlier this season, has been named the ACC Co-Player of the Week.

(Mark Stockwell/AP)Hand Jr.

sounds more excited talking about his little brothers accomplishments.Damien Robinson, just 14, led the Eagles in scoring (17 ppg) and steals (3.2).

He also was second in assists (3.8) and fourth in rebounds, shoots 90% from the free-throw line, 55% from field and 43% from 3-point range.I knew it going to come fast.

It runs in the family, Hand said with a chuckle.

He picked up the work ethic really early.

He was watching film with me.

Having an older brother I think definitely helps.

Hes seen what it took for me to get to this level.

I think thats really crucial in his development.

Hes put it into his own game.

Im just excited to see what the future has for him because hes doing awesome right now.Damien, nicknamed Dame, knew he would have a lot of people questioning his ability, just like they did his brother when he played for his father.I knew everybody already knew who I was, but I was trying to get my name out there more, he said.

People didnt really know me, they just knew that I was his son.

They thought it was Daddy ball, but its not like that.Green Run coach Kenneth Harris, whose team won a state semifinal over defending champion Woodside on Friday, knows the Robinsons well.

The younger Robinson scored 23 points against the Stallions earlier this season.Dame is awesome.

Ive been watching that boy grow up.

He and my son are friends, and my son loves watching him play.

Hes a gamer, Harris said.

And Ive got to deal with that boy for three more years, good gracious.

But I enjoy coaching against him.

Hes a good player and a good kid.

Hes going to do big things.Landstown head coach Dwight Robinson on the sidelines during a game against Green Run at Landstown High School in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Jan.

7, 2025.

(Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)To prepare for this season, Robinson sought help to improve his game.

He wanted to prove to people that he was more than a scorer.What better person to lean on than his brother?So when Hand came home during a holiday break, Robinson asked him to take Dame to the gym.

He gladly obliged.

He remembers what former Landstown players Michael Christmas, Stanley Pringle, Brandon Norfleet and others poured into him.Those were guys that taught me stuff.

Its only my job now to give all the information to him, Hand said from his room in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

Ive been in college for sometime now and Ive seen things.

Hes old enough to realize and grasp actually what Im saying.

It was actually pretty cool because some of the things I showed him, hes actually using in his game.How does Hand know? Because he watches most games online and then follows up with a phone call to their mother after each game.Its very important just because of our relationship.

Hes always checking on me, and Im always checking on him, Dame said.

When I was playing at Landstown, he was my biggest supporter.

If we lost, hed cry.

Hed also try to pick me up.

Now when I see him play, I want to see him play well.

He works really hard.

And being his big brother, you just want to see your little brother do well.

Im very proud of him.Dame is appreciative of his brothers guidance and support.He took me under his wing and taught me defensive tips, because hes a great defensive player.

He taught me shot techniques and how to get open more, and how to play off the ball more.

He taught me how to be a better player, said Dame, who already has offers from Radford and Old Dominion.

I know hes working hard to get to where he wants to get to.

And Im working hard to get to where he is.

Im just thankful for him.Robinson is often asked which son is better at the same age.

Its a question that he doesnt even entertain.People always want to ask me, Whos better at this age? But theyre two different dudes that play the game differently, he said.

One thing is that they both work hard, and they both love the game.

They are each others critics.

Its pretty funny.

But its not malicious in any way.Hand was a three-time All-Tidewater selection, including as a freshman when he helped lead the Eagles to the programs lone state title.

He would have been a four-time selection but an All-Tidewater team wasnt picked during his junior season because many teams didnt play during the COVID season.Hand also was the 2022 Class 6 Player of the Year and finished as Landstowns all-time leading scorer with 1,577 points and a 19.4 average.Hand was enjoying his little brothers season from afar.Its really cool.

I think of my ninth-grade year at Landstown and Dame was like 5 years old, he said.

He used to say, Youre going to be playing somewhere big in college and Im going to be doing my thing at Landstown playing for dad.

And I used to say, Thats right.

Eventually were both going to be doing it big.Now to see it happen, its truly amazing and just a testimony of how good God is, he added.

And were doing it at a high level.

Im just very proud of him.Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, [email protected].

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