When Caliya Robinson was younger, playing basketball was not even on her mind, let alone actually playing in the WNBA.
She ran track during her youth before she picked up basketball in the sixth grade. The coach talked to her mother, Chemeka Johnson, about Robinson playing. He saw something in her and asked her to come to tryouts. Robinson wasn’t interested at first, but she warmed up to the sport.
“When I started played basketball and I actually started doing the training and putting in the time and I actually started getting good was when I was like, well dang, maybe I could do something better. Maybe I could help my family out,” Robinson said.
Her mother became ill during the summer after her eighth-grade year, and Robinson realized that basketball was a way she could receive an education and help her family the best way she could. She played at McEachern High School and then earned the chance to play collegiate basketball for the University of Georgia for four seasons, from 2015-18.
Robinson finished her collegiate career at UGA this year as a senior, but she isn’t done. She wants to take her skills to the next level in the WNBA.
When the WNBA Draft occurs Wednesday night, she hopes to hear her name called.
The potential to play in the WNBA started to set in during her junior year at UGA. Robinson said she realized she had to mature in order to demonstrate her ability to make it in the WNBA. She has worked to show others this is the route she wants to pursue through her actions both on and off the court.
WNBA coaches have recognized Robinson’s abilities and her pro potential. New York Liberty coach Katie Smith said in a media conference call she has the size and length necessary for the league. Smith also recognized her ability to rebound.
“She’s a player that has a unique skill set in that she’s got nice touch away from the basket,” said Cheryl Reeve, general manager and head coach of the Minnesota Lynx. “... Probably defensively that would be her biggest area of strength. The way that Georgia has played, I think that has positioned her well to be a shot blocker.”
Robinson finished as one of five Georgia players in the history of the program to score more than 1,000 career points, pull down more than 800 rebounds and block more than 200 shots. She finished second all-time at Georgia in career blocked shots, with 292, and ninth in rebounds, with 874.
The chance to play in the WNBA would be an opportunity for Robinson to see how her game improves and play against people she knows and looks up to. She has a personal connection with two WNBA players, Diamond DeShields and Dearica Hamby, from her childhood.
“I used to play with Diamond all the time,” Robinson said. “I remember Dearica used to come home and train and whatnot with the person that I used to (train) with, his name was Omar Cooper, and she used to beat on me all the time.”
Robinson doesn’t exactly know how her strengths will mesh with a team as a rookie. However, she feels her ability to block shots and be an all-around player could be an asset for a team.
Come Wednesday, emotions will be high as Robinson waits to hear which team she could be joining. She relies on her family for motivation, and wants to make not only them, but also herself, proud.
“I just hope I’m able to sit here and play my game and help whatever team I end up on win games and do what we got to do to succeed,” Robinson said. “I just plan on going out there and giving it my all.”
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