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Ex-Brandon standout commits to UConn

Kiana Robinson, now in North Carolina, will play for a perennial national powerhouse.

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 18, 2002

Former Brandon star Kiana Robinson, whose final season came under scrutiny last month, took a big step toward solidifying her basketball future Tuesday.

She orally committed to Connecticut.

Robinson, a senior point guard who transferred to North Carolina's Laurinburg Institute on Sept.2, also considered Florida, Rutgers, Boston College and Auburn, among others. Connecticut's top-ranked program, along with its proximity to New York, Robinson's hometown, made the decision easy.

"It was a win-win situation for Kiana," said her father, Stanley Robinson. "UConn is not only the best basketball program in the country, but academically, it has everything we were looking for.

"They have small classes and a 100 percent graduation rate (for women's basketball players). You can't beat that stat."

Robinson is expected to compete for a starting spot next season, when the team should be reloaded with an incoming freshman class among the nation's best. The Huskies won their third NCAA title in March, finishing 39-0. In April, four Huskies were picked in the WNBA draft, including No.1 overall pick Sue Bird. Averaging 28 points and 10 rebounds last season, Robinson was the Times Hillsborough County Player of the Year and the county's leading scorer. This summer, she was invited to participate in the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival, an Olympic-oriented training camp with the nation's top 48 seniors. Robinson also was the only prep athlete invited to participate in an Aug.18 all-star game at the Shaquille O'Neal Celebrity Basketball Weekend, which drew questions about her final season of high school eligibility. The Florida High School Activities Association prohibits athletes from playing in all-star games in a sport before their eligibility is exhausted.

Brandon administrators began investigating Robinson's participation, but the matter became moot when she transferred out of state.

Robinson, whose room in North Carolina does not have a telephone, could not be reached Tuesday. Stanley Robinson said the commitment was delivered over the phone Tuesday.

Laurinburg coach Quentin Hillsman, who also coached at American, said he looks forward to making the most of Robinson's last high school season.

"She's really blessed to have all the opportunities that have been given to her," Hillsman said. "She's a remarkable athlete and probably the most talented player I've ever coached."

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