John Wooden praises The Admiral

The admiration and respect that former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden has for Spurs center David Robinson dates back to the first time he met him.

Robinson received the John Wooden Award from the Los Angeles Athletic Club as college basketball's player of the year in 1987, when he was a senior at the U.S. Naval Academy.

"I got to know him a little bit then and I thought he was a remarkable person," Wooden said. "He has a stately appearance, but it's not only the way he looks.

"There's something inside him that stands out. He's at peace with himself." 

Wooden is one of college basketball's most revered icons. He retired in 1975, after leading UCLA to its 10th NCAA championship in 12 seasons. 

Wooden expressed regret that Robinson, who has played with the Spurs for the past 14 years.

"David has had a tremendous effect on professional basketball, off the court and on the court," Wooden said. "I know that he established a foundation to help others. He's long been one of my favorite players in the NBA.

"I look at him not just as a great basketball player, but an outstanding person. He finished school at the Naval Academy, and I respect that very much."

Wooden, who coached such greats as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) and Bill Walton at UCLA, praised Robinson for his poise.

"All athletes in almost any sport must have physical balance and emotional balance," Wooden said. "I've always thought David Robinson has both.

"He's always thinking. There's nothing flashy or spectacular about his game, but he has all the fundamental aspects of the game that you need. He also has that self-control, which is so important."

"Robinson and Duncan are very much alike in that they never get too high or never get too low. I used to tell my players that for every peak, there's a valley. You want to stay on an even keel."