Robbie Herndon
No. 11 – NLEX Road Warriors
PositionSmall forward / shooting guard
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (1993-07-16) July 16, 1993
Vallejo, California, U.S.
NationalityFilipino / American
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High schoolSt. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo, California)
CollegeSan Francisco State (2011–2013)
PBA draft2017: 1st round, 6th overall pick
Selected by the GlobalPort Batang Pier
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2019Magnolia Hotshots
2019–2022Alaska Aces
2022–2023San Miguel Beermen
2023–presentNLEX Road Warriors
Career highlights and awards

Robert Conrad Dixon Herndon Jr. (born July 16, 1993) is a Filipino-American professional basketball player for the NLEX Road Warriors of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The GlobalPort Batang Pier selected him as the sixth overall pick in the 2017 PBA draft.[1]

High school career

Herndon was a three-year varsity player.[2] In his senior year, he scored 17 points in the third quarter to lead his team to a win over Arcata.[3] He then had a game-winning layup against Sacred Heart Prep. He averaged 20.2 points,11.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals that year.[2] His head coach, Derek Walker called him "the best basketball player to come through St. Patrick's".

Herndon chose to play for the San Francisco State Gators, as it would allow his mother to watch his games.[2] He was also recruited by San Beda, a Filipino university, and Utah, a NCAA Division I Pac-12 university.[4]

Aside from basketball, Herndon was also a high school football athlete.[3] He had 10 touchdowns and nearly 800 receiving yards in his senior season.

College career

Herndon only played two years with San Francisco State.[4] He got his season high of 17 points to go with a team-high five rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a win over Cal State Dominguez Hills.[5]

In his final year with SF State, Herndon tied his college career-high of 21 points to go with six rebounds in 46 minutes as they lost in triple overtime to Dominican.[6] Later that season, he had 14 points, four rebounds, and two steals in a win over Cal State Monterey Bay.[7] He helped them reach the CCAA semifinals where they lost to Cal Poly Pomona.[8] After that season, he stopped playing basketball and focused on his studies.[9] He graduated as a criminal justice major.[4]

College statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

[10]

Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 SFSU 26 17.3 .410 .413 .740 3.0 .9 .8 .2 5.8
2012–13 22 21.8 .344 .203 .719 2.8 .9 .5 .0 6.5
Career 48 19.4 .372 .291 .732 2.9 .9 .7 .1 6.2

Amateur career

When Herndon stopped playing basketball, he considered becoming a fireman.[9] After getting his degree, he decided to try basketball once again and moved from California to Manila. In 2016, he won first place in the Manila Red Bull King of the Rock qualifier, beating out retired former PBA MVP Willie Miller.[11] However, he opted to focus on pursuing a basketball career in the PBA, and Miller took his place in the tournament.[12]

Herndon then entered the PBA D-League, where he joined Victoria's Sports – MLQU for the 2017 Aspirants' Cup.[4] In his first game, he had 19 points and 10 rebounds in a loss to the Wang's Basketball Couriers.[13] He then scored 27 points and 11 rebounds in a loss to the Batangas EAC Generals.[14] He led the team with 27 points on 24 shot attempts, 11 rebounds, and six assists as they started the season 0–4.[15] They got their first win of the season against the JRU Heavy Bombers, with him leading with 22 points.[16] Victoria's Sports ended the conference with a win over the Blustar Detergent Dragons Malaysia, in which he had a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds.[17] That conference, he averaged 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals.[4]

For the 2017 Foundation Cup, Herndon joined the Wang's Basketball Couriers. In a game against Batangas, he had 27 points, 14 rebounds, and a clutch three-pointer that could have sent the game into overtime.[18] However, Batangas' Cedric de Joya converted the game-winning floater. Against the Gamboa Coffee Lovers, he scored 27 points once again as Wang's evened its record to 2–2.[19] He then had a double-double of 17 points and 13 boards as the Couriers continued their franchise-best start.[20] Despite the franchise-best start, Wang's failed to make it to the playoffs, and he was released from Wang's and signed by the Marinerong Pilipino Skippers.[21] In his debut for the Skippers, he had 16 points and 10 rebounds as they forced a do-or-die Game 2 in the quarterfinals.[22] In that Game 2, he had two clutch offensive rebounds to bring his total to 13 boards to go along with his 13 points and two steals as the Skippers moved on the semifinals.[23] In the semifinals, they lost to the Cignal HD Hawkeyes via sweep.[24]

Professional career

Magnolia Hotshots (2017–2019)

Herndon was then drafted sixth overall in the first round of the 2017 PBA draft by the GlobalPort Batang Pier. On November 3, 2017, before playing a game with the team, Herndon was traded along with fellow rookie Gian Abrigo to the Magnolia Hotshots for Lervin Flores, Joseph Gabayni, and Julian Sargent, who are also all rookies.[25] He was signed to a two-year contract.[26]

Days before the start of the 2017–18 season, Herndon got injured with back spasms and was doubtful to play in the season opener.[27] His father surprised him and flew to Manila to watch him play, motivating him to debut in a win over Alaska with nine points and seven rebounds.[28] He then had 14 points in a 47-point win over the Kia Picanto.[29] In Game 1 of the 2017–18 Philippine Cup Finals, he had two clutch triples that helped Magnolia get the early series lead.[30] Magnolia went on to lose in the Philippine Cup Finals to SMB,[31] but they won the 2018 Governors' Cup, giving him his first PBA championship.[32] He was also selected to the All-Rookie Team that season.[33]

To begin the 2019 season, Herndon scored a career-high 16 points as he stepped up for the injured Paul Lee, but his efforts were not enough as they lost to the TNT Katropa.[34] He got to play in the Rookies/Sophomores vs. Juniors game during the 2019 All-Star Weekend, contributing 16 points, five rebounds, and two assists to the winning side.[35] In Game 2 of their playoff series against Barangay Ginebra, he scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half and collected five rebounds throughout the game as they routed Ginebra to set up a deciding Game 3.[36] Magnolia was able to get past Ginebra,[37] but they lost to SMB in the Finals in seven games.[38]

Alaska Aces (2019–2022)

On November 3, 2019, Herndon, along with Rodney Brondial, was traded to the Alaska Aces for Chris Banchero.[39]

In Alaska's opening game of the 2020 PBA Season, Herndon contributed 16 points in a loss to TNT.[40] He then had 21 points in a 38-point blowout of the Blackwater Elite.[41] He contributed 13 points, four assists, and two steals as Alaska qualified for the playoffs.[42] In Alaska's final game of the elimination round, he produced 14 points and seven rebounds against the NLEX Road Warriors as they finished with a record of 7–4.[43] They lost to TNT in the quarterfinals.[44]

After starting the 2021 Philippine Cup 0–2, the Aces got their first win of the season against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, with him contributing 13 points.[45] He then had 15 in a loss to Terrafirma.[46] The Aces did not qualify for the playoffs that conference.[47] Alaska then started the Governors' Cup with a win over the NorthPort Batang Pier as he scored 13 points and the go-ahead jumper with 30.1 seconds remaining.[48] A day after it was announced that this season would be Alaska's last, he had nine points and a PBA career-high 14 rebounds in a win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.[49] Later that season, he contributed 17 points on five triples in a loss to Phoenix.[50] Alaska ended its final season in a quarterfinal loss to NLEX.[51]

San Miguel Beermen (2022–2023)

On June 6, 2022, Herndon signed a one-year deal with the Converge FiberXers, the new team that took over the defunct Alaska Aces franchise.[52] Shortly thereafter, he was traded to the San Miguel Beermen for the team's 2023 and 2024 second-round draft picks.[53] He tied his PBA career-high of 21 points with five triples in a win over the Batang Pier.[54] He missed two games due to health protocols.[55] After not playing in the first two games of the 2022 Philippine Cup Finals against TNT, he got the chance to play in the fourth quarter of Game 3, as Beermen stars CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter had fouled out of the game.[56] He had a clutch triple, but a costly technical from him allowed TNT to send the game into overtime. He then scored the first five points of the OT period that allowed San Miguel to gain control of the series.[57] SMB won the Finals in Game 7.[58] In the Commissioner's Cup, he had 11 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes as he stepped up for the injured Chris Ross in a win over the Batang Pier.[59]

NLEX Road Warriors (2023–present)

On July 11, 2023, Herndon signed a two-year contract with the NLEX Road Warriors.[60]

PBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

As of the end of 2022–23 season[61]

Season-by-season averages

Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017–18 Magnolia 5010.1.466.368.6962.4.4.5.13.5
2019 Magnolia 4612.6.420.324.4712.9.4.5.04.3
Alaska
2020 Alaska 1226.7.450.373.6675.02.31.1.112.5
2021 Alaska 1921.7.381.333.6184.31.1.6.19.1
2022–23 San Miguel 3310.0.412.329.5451.8.4.2.13.7
Career 16013.4.424.342.6122.8.6.5.15.1

Personal life

Herndon’s father Robert Sr. is three-fourths Filipino who traces his roots to Mactan, Cebu.[62][9] His father is a police officer in Vallejo, California, and member of the SWAT team, while his mother is a real estate agent. His grandfather is half-Filipino and his grandmother is Filipina.

Herndon is friends with former PBA import Marqus Blakely.[62] He has also played pick-up basketball games with boxer and former senator Manny Pacquiao.[4] Pacquiao was the one who convinced Herndon's agent that he could play in the PBA. He is also friends with Fil-Am PBA player Mikey Williams. Herndon defended Williams after he was seen at SMB's championship party as William's team TNT had just lost to SMB.[63]

Herndon has cited Kobe Bryant as his influence growing up.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Leongson, Randolph B. (October 29, 2017). "GlobalPort ships Robbie Herndon to Star in 3-on-1 swap".
  2. 1 2 3 Farmer, Paul (May 17, 2011). "Herndon ready to be a Gator". Daily Republic. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Gase, Thomas (June 29, 2011). "St. Patrick-St. Vincent"s Robbie Herndon is Times-Herald"s Male Athlete of the Year". Times-Herald. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Henson, Joaquin M. (September 6, 2017). "Herndon a draft sleeper?". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ Farmer, Paul (March 1, 2012). "Jack repeats as Pac-12 heavyweight champ". Daily Republic. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  6. ↑ Farmer, Paul (November 27, 2012). "Wood grad Murray sharp for Silverswords". Daily Republic. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  7. ↑ Farmer, Paul (February 7, 2013). "Vanden grad Amarikwa a fixture with Aztecs". Daily Republic. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  8. ↑ Farmer, Paul (March 14, 2013). "Rodriguez grad Cordes named Pac-12 Player of the Week at Cal". Daily Republic. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 Leongson, Randolph B. (October 27, 2017). "After nearly giving up on basketball, Herndon is ready to chase his dream". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Robbie Herndon – 2012–13 – Men's Basketball". sfstategators.com. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Fil-Am Robbie Herndon edges former PBA MVP Willie Miller to top one-on-one basketball tilt". Spin.ph. March 20, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Former PBA MVP Willie Miller takes Fil-Am Herndon's place in King of the Rock world finals". Spin.ph. August 3, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Marlon Gomez powers Wangs past Victoria Sports-MLQU". Tiebreaker Times. January 26, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  14. ↑ Mamac, Marion (January 31, 2017). "Team Batangas turns back Victoria Sports-MLQU for first win". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Teng flirts with triple-double; AMA holds off Victoria Sports-MLQU". Tiebreaker Times. February 13, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  16. ↑ Ballesteros, Jan (February 16, 2017). "Victoria Sports scores first D-League victory at expense of JRU Bombers". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Herdon, Victoria Sports-MLQU end campaign on high note". Tiebreaker Times. March 14, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  18. ↑ Ballesteros, Jan (June 6, 2017). "Cedric de Joya hits game-winner as Batangas makes it back-to-back wins with squeaker vs Wangs". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  19. ↑ "John Ambuludto beats buzzer, carries Wangs past Gamboa in thriller". Tiebreaker Times. June 20, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Wangs Basketball stuns Racal Motors to continue franchise-best start". Tiebreaker Times. June 26, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  21. ↑ Ballesteros, Jan (August 2, 2017). "Skippers add Robbie Herndon, Hawkeyes tap Jeckster Apinan as D-League teams gear up for playoffs". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  22. ↑ Times, Tiebreaker (August 3, 2017). "Robbie Herndon, Skippers force do-or-die against Tanduay". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  23. ↑ Ballesteros, Jan (August 8, 2017). "Robbie Herndon putback caps Marinerong Pilipino rally vs Tanduay to seal semis clash with Cignal". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Déjà vu for Marinerong Pilipino as Cignal HD advances to Finals". Tiebreaker Times. August 15, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  25. ↑ Ramos, Gerry (October 31, 2017). "GlobalPort, Star still assured of landing coveted rookies under revised trade deal". Spin.ph. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  26. ↑ Sacamos, Karlo (November 10, 2017). "Star Hotshots sign rookie Robbie Herndon to two-year contract". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  27. ↑ Ballesteros, Jan (December 18, 2017). "Robbie Herndon adds to Magnolia's injury woes as rookie in doubt for opener". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  28. ↑ Li, Matthew (December 21, 2017). "Ailing Robbie Herndon wills self after surprise visit from father". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  29. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (January 10, 2018). "Hotshots embarrass Picanto with another 47-point rout". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  30. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (March 24, 2018). "Seeing San Miguel play zone was a 'dream come true' for Robbie Herndon". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  31. ↑ Dioquino, Delfin (April 6, 2018). "San Miguel bags 4th straight PH Cup title in double O.T." RAPPLER. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  32. ↑ Saldajeno, Ivan (December 20, 2018). "From being 1-on-1 king, Herndon now a 5-on-5 champ with Magnolia". Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Chris Tiu to get fitting send-off; Jason Perkins leads All-Rookie Team". Tiebreaker Times. January 15, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  34. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (February 5, 2019). "With Paul Lee out, Robbie Herndon makes most out of opportunity". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  35. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (March 29, 2019). "Javee Mocon beats buzzer as Rookies-Sophomores get one over Juniors". tiebreakertimes.com.ph. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  36. ↑ Leongson, Randolph B. (April 8, 2019). "Robbie Herndon refuses to let Magnolia title bid end in Game Two". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  37. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (April 10, 2019). "Paul Lee knocks out Ginebra, leads Magnolia to Rain or Shine showdown". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  38. ↑ Giongco, Mark (May 15, 2019). "San Miguel makes history with 5th straight Philippine Cup title, outlasts Magnolia in Game 7". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Alaska trades Chris Banchero to Magnolia". PBA.ph. November 3, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  40. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (October 11, 2020). "Pogoy sparks with 45, Castro finishes as TNT escapes Alaska in PBA Bubble opening". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  41. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (October 20, 2020). "Barkley Eboña shines as Alaska scores impressive win over Blackwater". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  42. ↑ Dioquino, Delfin (November 6, 2020). "Brondial, Alaska escape NorthPort to punch playoff ticket". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  43. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (November 9, 2020). "Alaska gets into PBA bubble safezone, sends NLEX to the brink". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  44. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (December 29, 2020). "PBA yearender: Encouraging signs of resurgence for Alaska Aces". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  45. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (July 24, 2021). "Vic Manuel thorn against ex-team Alaska, leads Phoenix to first win in PBA PH Cup". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  46. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (September 19, 2021). "Terrafirma keeps PBA playoff hopes alive as Alaska gasses out". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  47. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (September 22, 2021). "Lassiter breaks Alaska's heart as San Miguel seals fourth seed in PBA playoffs". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  48. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (December 8, 2021). "PBA: Herndon, Alaska weather 'Bagyo' for opening day win". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  49. ↑ Terrado, Jonas (February 17, 2022). "Alaska begins farewell tour with hard-earned win over Rain or Shine". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  50. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (March 3, 2022). "PBA: Maxwell victorious in debut as Phoenix snaps skid at Alaska's expense". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  51. ↑ Terrado, Jonas (March 20, 2022). "Alaska's 36-year PBA run comes to an end". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  52. ↑ Ramos, Gerry (June 6, 2022). "Robbie Herndon finally signs one-year deal with Converge". Spin.ph. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  53. ↑ Ramos, Gerry (June 6, 2022). "Robbie Herndon traded to SMB for two future second-round picks". Spin.ph. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  54. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (July 2, 2022). "Herndon takes Austria's advice to stay patient to heart". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  55. ↑ Terrado, Reuben (July 26, 2022). "Austria, Cruz, Herndon set for SMB return vs Blackwater". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  56. ↑ Dioquino, Delfin (August 26, 2022). "Seldom-used Robbie Herndon proves worth as Game 3 hero for San Miguel". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  57. ↑ Bacnis, Justine (August 26, 2022). "'Magic bunot' Herndon glad to have atoned for boo-boo with OT heroics". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  58. ↑ Ramos, Gerry (September 7, 2022). "Herndon explains pal Mikey Williams' presence in SMB party". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  59. ↑ Dioquino, Delfin (October 26, 2022). "Despite Lassiter absence, San Miguel spoils Navarro debut with rout of NorthPort". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  60. ↑ Ramos, Gerry (July 12, 2023). "NLEX picks up Robbie Herndon after being left unsigned by San Miguel". Spin.ph. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  61. ↑ "Robbie Herndon Player Profile, San Miguel Beermen - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
  62. 1 2 Henson, Joaquin M. (October 31, 2015). "Fil-Am ready to invade D-League". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  63. ↑ Ramos, Gerry (September 7, 2022). "Herndon explains pal Mikey Williams' presence in SMB party". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
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