Thomas Robinson averaged 17.7 points and 11.9 rebounds during his final season at Kansas, leading the Jayhawks to the Final Four before becoming the No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft.

However Robinson struggled to live up to expectations during his rookie season, averaging just 4.8 points and 4.5 boards in 70 games for the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets.

“I talked to (KU) coach Self a couple times this year, more than a couple actually,” Robinson said. “He constantly told me the same thing he told me when I struggled before my junior year — just be a rebounder. That’s what I’m going to do.”

Robinson crashed the boards at the Las Vegas Summer League last month, averaging 12.8 rebounds (third-best mark in league) and 10.4 points while appearing in five games for Portland.

“I think he (now) realizes who he is. He is a rebounder who can score as opposed to a scorer who can rebound,” Self said. “If he can just worry about the things he can control, he’ll become an even better shooter.”