Deion Robinson arrived at Mount Tabor in 2009 as a coltish, 6-foot-4 freshman who appeared on his way to greater stature.
Now an ever-improving junior forward on the Spartans' basketball team, Robinson — to his surprise — is still the same old 6-4.
He hasn't grown an inch since he was in eighth grade.
"The doctor told me I might be around 6-10," he said. "He didn't know when I would hit my growth spurt.
"I thought I would grow some more, but I guess I am just done."
As it turns out, Robinson is still tall enough to be one of the most formidable post players in the area. Using his wide shoulders and strength for positioning, he averages 10.8 rebounds, 16.3 points and 3.5 assists a game.
"He's a tough load inside, and what he does best is offensive rebounding," coach Andy Muse said. "He has a knack for knowing where the ball is in the paint and does a good job of finishing when he gets offensive rebounds.
"He has three guys all over him every time he touches the ball."
Once an aspiring college post player, Robinson saw the handwriting on the wall last season. At his height, he won't anchor the middle for a college team, so he decided to skip playing AAU basketball last summer to work on his game.
Already adept at finishing from close range, Robinson worked on his ball-handling and produced evident results. Muse said that Robinson also has increased his shooting range to 17 feet, even though he rarely attempts shots of that length for the Spartans.
"I was trying to add on in case I did grow, I would still have the handles," Robinson said. "Or if I didn't grow, either way it would help me.
"I think it has helped me a lot. Now when I get the ball, I feel more confident with it. I can hold it longer instead of playing hot potato with it."
Basketball isn't the only thing that occupies Robinson's spare time. He'll jump on a leaky engine gasket as quickly as an errant shot.
Robinson said that his family owns six cars and that he and his father, Terry, are always trying to sell and buy when they aren't under the hood, tinkering and doing maintenance.
"When I was 5, my dad used to always work on cars and had a lot of them," Robinson said. "He basically gave me a car, and I started helping him wash them, and I'd watch him work on the motors. Now I do all our cars.
"We are rebuilding a '67 Mustang right now, if we get it done."
Robinson is so handy with auto mechanics that he's waiting for his Auto Tech class at the Career Center to catch up with his knowledge.
"Right now, we are doing electronics and battery stuff, and we have learned to rotate tires, change oil, basic maintenance on cars," he said. "I know most of it. It kind of made me feel good. (His teacher) let me teach others and help them."
Robinson wants to play college basketball and to continue working on cars, so he'll be looking for more than a program in need of a 6-4 banger who plays taller.
"I am getting (recruiting) letters, but I don't know some of the colleges, and I haven't looked into them or anything like that," he said. "Wherever I go to play basketball, I would like to be able to play and work on cars."
Muse said he expects to see even more improvement in Robinson's all-around game before Robinson finishes his high-school career.
"He has had a lot of mid-major letters, and this summer is going to be a big summer for him on the AAU circuit," Muse said. "I think his competitive spirit will be shown more than anything else that will help him get to the next level because he plays so hard."
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