Duncan Robinson Hosts Eli Memorial Tournament in Portsmouth

Portsmouth will play host to a weekend basketball celebration as former NBA forward Duncan Robinson returns to the South Mill Pond Playground. The 32‑year‑old, 6‑foot‑7 guard is set to headline two days of activity on July 18‑19, organized by the Robinson Family Foundation. The event honors his late brother Eli, who died by suicide in 2025 after battling schizophrenia, addiction, and mental illness.

Saturday kicks off the Eli Robinson 3v3 Memorial Tournament, a competition limited to participants aged 18 and older. Sixteen teams will compete, and every registration fee and point scored will directly support the foundation’s programs. Community basketball figures are also expected to join the action, reinforcing the event’s charitable mission.

Sunday shifts focus to youth development with the Duncan Robinson Skills Camp at the Connie Bean Community Center. Athletes from grades 5‑12 split into two sessions—one for grades 5‑8 and another for grades 9‑12—offering hands‑on instruction from high‑school, college, and NBA‑level coaches. The curriculum emphasizes both skill development and teamwork.

Registration for both the tournament and the skills camp is available at r‑ff.org/events. All proceeds will benefit the Robinson Family Foundation, which strives to raise mental‑health awareness and assist families facing similar challenges. Duncan Robinson, a New Castle native who grew up playing at South Mill Pond, sees this weekend as a way to give back to the community that launched his NBA career.

Robinson described the weekend as “super important to my family and I based on what we’ve been through with my brother.” He added that Eli’s story “resonated with other families,” and that the gatherings can help people “come together and talk about these things.” By bringing together players and locals, he hopes to keep the mental‑health conversation alive in the Seacoast.

NBA players are increasingly using their platforms to address social issues, and Robinson’s effort reflects a broader trend of athletes supporting mental‑health causes. Linking a high‑profile tournament to a charitable foundation helps draw attention to an issue that touches many families.

Getting Help Resources

For anyone in the Seacoast area who needs assistance, local and national resources are available. The following options provide confidential support for mental‑health and substance‑use crises.

• NH Rapid Response Access Point – Call/Text 1‑833‑710‑6477. Trained clinical staff are ready to help you access vital resources in an emergency.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988. Free, confidential, 24/7 support for people in distress and their loved ones is available, with chat options also at 988lifeline.org.

This article was inspired by the original Portsmouth Herald report, which detailed Duncan Robinson’s community outreach and mental‑health advocacy efforts.