Getting The Point
STANFORD, Calif.- One of the top recruiting priorities for Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men’s Basketball Johnny Dawkins was to attract a pure point guard. He thinks he found his man in Robert Cartwright.
Cartwright, a 6-2, 165-pounder from Pasadena, Calif., averaged 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season at Flintridge Prep and led his team to a league title, the Division V-AA semifinals and a CIF State Division V appearance. A four-year starter, Cartwright was the first of four highly-touted recruits to commit to The Farm.
“Robert was who we targeted,” Dawkins said. “He kicked off the class with his commitment, and that’s reflective of him being a future point guard and leader. He is a consummate point guard, always making plays for his teammates, as well as himself. He plays with tremendous energy and passion and really embraces guarding the ball on defense.”
Cartwright is a basketball junkie who has grown up learning from Steve Nash and Chris Paul. He tried his best to get a key to the gym from his high school coach, but it was against school policy. But Cartwright had access to the gym at Cal Tech and a park near his home. And then there was his backyard hoop at the family house.
“It’s a small, little brick court, but believe me, before every single game, it all starts there,” he said. “My parents didn’t want me to stay out too late so the noise would bother the neighbors, but there were definitely times when I would stay out there until 1:30 a.m.”
Dawkins prides his teams on defense and Cartwright has no problems with scrapes, scratches and floor burns.
“My strengths are just getting out there and playing hard every minute,” said Cartwright. “I’m a guy who looks to get his teammates the ball. I’m very happy distributing and getting guys good shots. Just being a team player and getting shots, too. I’m here to do whatever I can to help my team win.”
Dawkins and his staff have made it clear that the better he performs in practice, the more likely he is to earn playing time in games.
“Coach Dawkins told me from the minute I got here that he wants me to compete,” he said. “He doesn’t want me to defer in any way, shape or form. He wants me to assume a leadership role and be a guy that’s vocal on the court. So I’m trying to do that every single day.”
Cartwright has his work cut out playing behind returning All-Pac-12 First-Team senior guard Chasson Randle, who started all 36 games on last year’s NCAA Sweet 16 team and paced the Cardinal in scoring in 19 contests. But Cartwright is soaking up every ounce of knowledge he can from Randle and knows it will make him a better player.
“Chasson is a fantastic player and I’m lucky to learn from him and play with and against him in practice every day,” said Cartwright.
Along with fellow freshmen Michael Humphrey, Dorian Pickens and Reid Travis, Cartwright expects big things from the team this year. This, despite losing Josh Huestis and Dwight Powell to the NBA.
“I think the team has a lot of potential to do some really special things,” Cartwright said. “The seniors are all potential NBA Draft picks, guys that can lead us every game. I think the freshmen can come in and help us win. We want to get back to the NCAA Tournament and make some noise.”
Cartwright followed Stanford last year and attended the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas.
“I watched almost every single game,” he said. “I cheered louder than I probably ever have in my life.”
Once Stanford offered him a scholarship, he jumped at the opportunity.
“There was no second choice,” said Cartwright. “I committed the day I could. It’s an honor to wear Stanford colors every day.”