Mitchell Robinson gets NBA honor before Knicks’ uncertain offseason

The 17-65 record didn’t net Zion Williamson, but the season gave birth to one positive: center Mitchell Robinson.

That became official when Robinson was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team on Tuesday. The Knicks’ lottery pick, forward Kevin Knox, did not make it, despite being an alternate selection in the Rising Stars Challenge. Knox came in 12th place, finishing with 22 second-team votes. Allonzo Trier received 10 second-place votes.

However, the Knicks’ shotblocking second-round pick, taken 36th overall, gave a glimmer of hope for a future, even though he could be part of a package for disgruntled Pelicans star Anthony Davis.

“It feels great. I was the 36th pick. My hard work paid off. The Knicks believe in me and have helped me become a better player,” said Robinson who received three first-team votes and 71 second-team votes.

Robinson is from Chalmette, La. — 15 minutes from New Orleans’ French Quarter. The Post reported over the winter the Pelicans had interest.

Robinson logged record-setting rookie shotblocking numbers while electrifying on the offensive end with putback dunks and alley-oops.

While he needs to work on a semblance of a jump shot (he took three jumpers all season, missing them all), Robinson figures to be the Knicks’ center of the future if not dealt.

Robinson was not selected to the All-Star Weekend’s rookie-sophomore game, but he became more consistent across the last two months of the season, coinciding with mentor DeAndre Jordan’s arrival.

Robinson, 21, had a streak of at least one block in 38 straight games, an all-time Knicks rookie record, breaking Patrick Ewing’s 28 straight games.

He led all NBA rookies in field goal percentage (69.4 percent) and blocks per game (2.4). The latter statistic ranked second in the NBA behind Pacers big man Myles Turner.

Robinson averaged 7.3 points in 20.2 minutes without taking a single 3-pointer. At a recent NBA Store appearance, Robinson said he’s been working on that aspect of his game and hopes to turn into a Joel Embiid type.

“I want to shoot 3s next year,” Robinson said after the Knicks’ season finale. “That’s not the No. 1 focus [but] really to get stronger, work on my post moves. And then when it gets close to summer league [in July], start bringing in that jump shot.”

Knicks coach David Fizdale considers Robinson the type of new-age big-man defender who can scurry out to the perimeter. He led the NBA with 24 blocked 3-pointers. Robinson also set a new Knicks rookie record for most blocks in a season (161), surpassing Kristaps Porzingis’ 134 blocks, accomplished in 2015-16.

Here is a list of the All-Rookie selections:

First Team:

G – Trae Young
G – Luka Doncic
F – Jaren Jackson Jr.
F – Marvin Bagley
C – DeAndre Ayton

Second Team:

G – Collin Sexton
G – Landry Shamet
F – Kevin Huerter
F – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
C – Mitchell Robinson

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