The city of Selma has a connection to the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Former Selma High standout Julius Robinson was a key player at Auburn University during the late 1990’s. Robinson was a star point guard and team captain for the Tigers, playing on two NCAA Tournament squads.

Selma High retired Robinson’s jersey at a ceremony at the end of the regular season this year. Robinson is the school’s only Parade All-American basketball player, starring for the Saints from 1992 to 1996. He led the Saints to the state title in 1994 and was Alabama’s top-ranked player two years later. He later signed with Auburn and played for coach Cliff Ellis.

When I covered SEC basketball games for The Biloxi-Sun Herald during the 1990’s, I recall a point guard who often gave Ole Miss and Mississippi State fits.

That guard was “Doc” Robinson, who eventually became an All-American and two-time All-SEC selection. By the time Robinson was a sophomore, he averaged 12.4 points a game.

The six-foot-two Robinson served as a co-captain for the Tigers during the 1998-99 season, his junior year. He averaged 11.5 points and five assists, which the Tigers reached the Sweet 16. Auburn lost to Ohio State.

As a senior, Robinson averaged 11.5 points and 5 assists. He helped the Tigers go 24-10 and finish second in the SEC Tournament. Auburn slid past Creighton 72-69 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but fell to Iowa State 79-60 in round two.

What’s more impressive about Robinson is his love for the Queen City. Last year, Robinson held the Doc’s Skill Basketball Academy in Selma and taught the youth. Selma High coach Ronald Lane said he’s unsure if Robinson will return this year with the academy.

Robinson is based in the Atlanta area where he trains and prepares young basketball players for college stardom and the professional level. He’s well-respected in basketball circles.

Auburn doesn’t have a Dallas County product on its current NCAA Tournament team, but the memories of Robinson will never go away.