In March 2017, I sat down with Glenn Robinson III (widely known as GR3) on Scoop B Radio during what was arguably the most electric stretch of his career. Fresh off winning the 2017 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, the Indiana Pacers forward was facing a question he had heard since high school: what is it like being the son of “The Big Dog,” Glenn Robinson? While his father was a #1 overall pick and a two-time All-Star known for his scoring prowess, GR3 used our “buttoned-up” session to define his own lane.
Reflecting on this in December 2025, as Glenn continues his professional journey overseas in the United Arab Emirates, his 2017 words serve as the blueprint for a career built on individual identity and resilience.
“I’m Making My Own Footsteps”
The core of our 2017 dialogue was about the psychological shift from being “Big Dog’s son” to becoming “GR3.” Glenn was candid about the early pressure and how he eventually learned to embrace his name while distinguishing his game.
“When I was younger, I really didn’t understand why people are comparing me and why everything I did had to be compared to him,” Glenn told me. “But growing up, I realized that—that’s my name. I love it, and having someone there who can give me that type of advice… he’s definitely motivated me. I’m following my own footsteps, I’m making my own footsteps, I’m not really following his.”
The Dunk Contest: The “Underdog” Breakthrough
Our session happened just weeks after his victory in New Orleans. GR3 went into that contest as a massive underdog (+1500 odds), facing high-flyers like Aaron Gordon. By jumping over his teammate Paul George, a mascot, and a cheerleader in a single bound, he didn’t just win a trophy—he “shocked the world” and proved his athleticism was in a tier of its own.
- The Vision: He wanted to do things “NBA fans hadn’t seen before.”
- The Reality: He credited his grandmother for telling him to go in and “show them they slept on you.”
- The Result: He became the first Pacer to win the contest since Fred Jones in 2004.
Legacy Beyond the Court: The ARI Foundation
Even in 2017, Glenn was thinking about a “buttoned-up” legacy that extended beyond the hardwood. He eventually launched the ARI Foundation (named after his daughter, Ariana), which focuses on empowering fathers and supporting fatherless families. This work has become a central pillar of his life in 2025.
| Career Phase | Team / Status | Notable Achievement |
| 2014-2021 | NBA (Pacers, Warriors, 76ers, etc.) | 2017 Slam Dunk Champion; Career-high 12.9 PPG with Warriors. |
| 2023-2024 | G-League (Wisconsin Herd) | Pursued NBA comeback with high-level efficiency. |
| Late 2025 | Sharjah Basketball Club (UAE) | Currently dominating in the West Asia Super League. |
2025 Update: The Journey Continues in the Desert
As of late 2025, Glenn is a star for Sharjah SC in the UAE. He recently posted a massive 32-point performance on December 9, proving that at 31 years old, he still possesses the “explosive player” tag we discussed years ago.
As Glenn said to me:
“I think I’m really doing the job of still being myself.”
Whether in an Indiana Pacers jersey or playing in the Gulf League, GR3 has remained true to that 2017 promise. He isn’t just a sequel; he is an original.
