Danielle Robinson
Danielle Robinson (born May 10, 1989) is an American basketball coach and former professional player who played as a point guard in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) for 13 seasons from 2011 to 2023.[1][2] Born in San Jose, California, Robinson played college basketball for the University of Oklahoma Sooners from 2007 to 2011, where she earned All-Big 12 honors and helped lead the team to the 2010 NCAA Final Four.[1][2] Selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2011 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars, she quickly established herself as a defensive standout and playmaker, earning All-Rookie First Team honors in her debut season.[1][2] Over her WNBA career, Robinson played for six teams: the San Antonio Silver Stars/Stars (2011–2016), Phoenix Mercury (2017), Minnesota Lynx (2018–2019), Las Vegas Aces (2020), Indiana Fever (2021–2022), and Atlanta Dream (2023).[2][1] She appeared in the 2020 WNBA Finals with the Aces and was selected to three All-Star Games (2013, 2014, 2015), three All-Defensive Second Teams (2012–2014), and the All-WNBA Second Team in 2014.[1][2] Career totals include 3,160 points, 988 rebounds, and 1,479 assists across 359 games, ranking her 13th in WNBA history for total assists at the time of her retirement.[2] Robinson announced her retirement from professional basketball on January 1, 2025, concluding a career marked by her speed, defensive tenacity, and leadership on the court. After retiring, she joined the Los Angeles Sparks in a front office role and was promoted to assistant coach in April 2025.[2][3]Early life and education
Early life
Danielle Robinson was born on May 10, 1989, in San Jose, California.[4][5] She grew up in a supportive family environment that encouraged her participation in sports, particularly basketball. Her parents, Albert Robinson and Denise Carr-Robinson, along with her brother Jonathan, fostered this interest; her mother, who had played college basketball at Hampton University in the 1970s, emphasized the importance of fundamentals and viewed Danielle's talent as a blessing to be nurtured.[5][6] Robinson's early exposure to basketball came through home practices guided by her family, where she developed core skills before entering organized high school competition. Her father encouraged outdoor drills, while her mother required her to master consecutive layups indoors, building discipline and technique from a young age.[6] This foundation prepared her for a successful transition to high school basketball at Archbishop Mitty High School.High school career
Danielle Robinson attended Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California, from 2003 to 2007, where she emerged as a standout point guard on the girls' varsity basketball team under coach Sue Phillips.[7] During her tenure, she contributed to the team's success in regional competitions, helping secure three consecutive Central Coast Section (CCS) Division II championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007.[8] In the 2005 CCS final, she scored 15 points in a 56-44 victory over Aragon; in 2006, she tallied 21 points during a 73-35 win against Westmoor; and in 2007, she recorded 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in a 59-39 triumph over St. Francis.[8] Robinson's leadership peaked in her senior year (2006–07), when she guided Archbishop Mitty to a 32-4 record and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Division II championship, culminating in a 54-49 upset victory over Brea-Olinda in the title game, where she scored 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.[7][9] For the season, she averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals per game, showcasing her all-around defensive prowess and playmaking ability.[7][10] Her exceptional performances earned widespread recognition, including selection to the 2006 EA Sports All-America Second Team as a junior and the 2007 Parade Magazine All-America Fourth Team as a senior.[7] Robinson was named 2006 Player of the Year by the San Jose Mercury News, High School Sports Focus, Northern California prep writers association, and Cal-Hi Sports, and in 2007, she received the same honor from the Central Coast Section, Cal-Hi Sports, and High School Sports Focus, along with the San Jose Sports Authority High School Athlete of the Year award.[7][11] These accolades highlighted her as one of California's top prep talents, leading to a full scholarship and her commitment to the University of Oklahoma during her senior year.[7][12]College career
University of Oklahoma
Danielle Robinson enrolled at the University of Oklahoma in 2007 and played for the Sooners women's basketball team from 2007 to 2011, majoring in sociology.[1] As a highly recruited guard from Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California, she quickly transitioned to college basketball under head coach Sherri Coale.[5] During her freshman season, Robinson earned a starting role as point guard by the second game, showcasing her speed and court vision that became hallmarks of her playing style.[5] Over her tenure, she evolved into a senior leader, directing the offense with exceptional quickness in transition, facilitating assists, and contributing defensively as a perimeter stopper.[1] Her ability to push the pace and score in fast breaks was instrumental in elevating the team's performance, helping the Sooners secure the Big 12 regular-season championship in 2008–09.[13] Robinson's leadership also propelled the team to NCAA Tournament appearances each year, culminating in back-to-back Final Four runs in 2009 and 2010. Academically, Robinson maintained a 3.49 GPA and was recognized as a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection in 2008–09 and 2009–10.[14] In her senior year, she received Capital One Academic All-America Second Team honors and the NCAA Today's Top VIII Award for exemplifying excellence in athletics, academics, and community service.[1]USA Basketball
During her junior year at the University of Oklahoma, Danielle Robinson was selected to represent the United States at the 2009 World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia, as part of the USA Women's World University Games Team.[15] The 12-member roster, which included fellow Big 12 standout Danielle McCray from Kansas, was chosen following national team trials, highlighting Robinson's emergence as a promising point guard in collegiate basketball.[15] Competing from July 2-11, the undefeated U.S. team won all seven games en route to capturing the gold medal, marking the seventh such title for the program in the event's history.[16] As the starting point guard in four of the seven contests, Robinson contributed significantly to the team's success by providing playmaking and defensive intensity against international competition. She averaged 4.6 points, 3.3 assists, and a team-leading 2.3 steals per game, while starting the final three games of the tournament.[17] Her performances included a game-high six assists against Poland in pool play, five points versus Great Britain, and three points with two assists and two steals in the gold medal victory over Russia.[18][19][16] These efforts offered Robinson valuable exposure to global talent, enhancing her skills as a quick and aggressive guard ahead of her senior season. In addition to the World University Games, Robinson earned a spot on the 2010 USA Select Team during her senior year, where she trained against the senior USA National Team in preparation for the FIBA World Championship.[1] This experience further solidified her role in USA Basketball's developmental programs, providing scrimmage opportunities against elite professionals and contributing to her growth as a leader on the court.[1]Professional playing career
WNBA career
Danielle Robinson was selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2011 WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Silver Stars.[1] She quickly established herself as a dynamic point guard, earning a spot on the All-WNBA Rookie Team in her debut season after contributing to the Stars' backcourt with her speed and vision.[2] Over her first five seasons with the San Antonio Stars (2011–2015), Robinson developed into a key playmaker, highlighted by her selection as a Western Conference All-Star reserve in 2013 and leading the league in assists that year with a 6.7 average per game, earning her Peak Performer recognition.[20] She also secured All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2012, 2013, and 2014, showcasing her tenacity on both ends of the court.[1] Following a torn Achilles injury that sidelined her for the entire 2016 season after signing back with San Antonio, Robinson signed with the Phoenix Mercury in 2017, where she continued to facilitate effectively before being traded to the Minnesota Lynx in the 2018 offseason.[2] With the Lynx in 2018 and 2019, she provided steady veteran presence, and in 2020, she was traded to the Las Vegas Aces, helping the team reach the WNBA Finals that year.[1] Robinson then signed a multi-year contract with the Indiana Fever ahead of the 2021 season, playing two campaigns there before being traded to the Atlanta Dream in January 2023, where she wrapped up her playing career in her final season.[21] Across 12 seasons and 359 regular-season games with six different franchises, she amassed 1,479 assists, ranking 13th all-time in WNBA history upon retirement.[22] Renowned for her exceptional quickness and playmaking prowess—often voted the fastest player with the ball in league general manager surveys in 2012 and 2013—Robinson evolved into a respected leader in her later years, mentoring younger teammates while maintaining her defensive intensity.[1] Her career also included All-WNBA Second Team honors in 2014 and back-to-back All-Star selections in 2014 and 2015.[2] On January 1, 2025, Robinson announced her retirement from professional basketball, concluding a 12-year WNBA tenure marked by resilience through multiple trades, injuries, and team changes.[22]Overseas career
Danielle Robinson began her overseas professional career in the 2011–12 season with Maccabi Ramat Hen in the Israeli League, reaching the Israeli Cup semifinals. She continued in the 2012–13 season with Tarsus Belediyesi in the Turkish Women's Basketball League (TKBL), where she averaged 13.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game over 24 domestic contests, including a season-high 27 points. In the EuroLeague Women, she contributed significantly to the team, averaging 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 11 games, with standout performances such as 26 points against Spartak Moscow and double-digit scoring in nine of her appearances. Her scoring and playmaking helped Tarsus compete effectively in both domestic and European competitions during her rookie WNBA off-season.[1] Robinson then joined ZVVZ USK Praha in the Czech Republic for the 2013–14 season, averaging 9.0 points per game in 10 EuroLeague Women appearances, including a high of 19 points, while domestically in the ZBL she posted 11.5 points over 17 games as the team captured the regular season title, tournament championship, and Czech Cup. She continued with USK Praha in 2014–15, where her team achieved a historic EuroLeague Women championship by defeating UMMC Ekaterinburg 72–68 in the final; Robinson scored a game-high 24 points in that decisive match and averaged 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists overall in 10 EuroLeague games. In the 2015–16 season with the same club, she averaged 5.4 points in eight EuroLeague contests and 4.7 points in three ZBL games, contributing to another strong campaign despite a reduced role.[1] Following her WNBA injury, Robinson played for Mersin Buyuksehir Belediye in the Turkish KBSL during the 2016–17 season, where she was named Player of the Week in Round 26 and recorded a season-high 28 points. In 2017–18, she joined CMB Cargo UNI Gyor in the Hungarian A-Division, helping the team reach the league semifinals. Her final overseas stint came in 2019–20 with CCC Polkowice in the Polish EBLK, advancing to the Polish Cup finals and averaging double-digit points in several games, including a high of 27.[1] Over her nine overseas seasons from 2011 to 2020, Robinson played in 179 combined domestic, European, and other international games, refining her point guard skills through high-level international competition, earning supplemental income during WNBA off-seasons, and gaining exposure to diverse playing styles that enhanced her leadership and adaptability. These stints provided valuable experience, with notable stats like her 15.4 points per game in the 2012–13 EuroLeague underscoring her scoring prowess unique to European leagues.[1] Balancing the demanding WNBA and overseas schedules presented challenges for Robinson, including the physical toll of playing nearly year-round across continents, though she managed without major reported injuries during these periods and credited the routine with maintaining her competitiveness.Post-playing career
Executive roles
Following her retirement from professional basketball, announced on January 1, 2025, after 13 seasons in the WNBA (2011–2023), Danielle Robinson transitioned directly into front-office work with the Los Angeles Sparks.[23] On January 2, 2025, she was appointed as the team's Manager of Basketball Integration and Scout Support, a role focused on bridging operational elements to enhance overall team performance.[22] In this position, Robinson oversees the integration of culture, data, technology, and analytics into the Sparks' basketball operations, working closely with coaches, players, the general manager, front-office staff, and analysts to implement strategies that optimize efficiency and decision-making.[22] She also provides scouting support for key areas, including free agency acquisitions, preparations for the 2025 WNBA Draft, and ongoing evaluations throughout the season.[24] This multifaceted role leverages her extensive on-court experience to foster a cohesive organizational environment, with an emphasis on nurturing relationships and building a strong team culture.[24] Robinson has continued in this executive capacity through 2025, even after a pre-season promotion that expanded her duties, contributing to the Sparks' strategic planning and operational enhancements. General Manager Raegan Pebley highlighted her potential to elevate the team's performance and culture from the outset, noting Robinson's commitment to collaborative initiatives that bring out the best in staff and players to drive organizational success.[22]Coaching roles
On April 24, 2025, the Los Angeles Sparks promoted Danielle Robinson to assistant coach, marking her entry into an on-court instructional role, in addition to her executive position, following her retirement from professional playing.[26][3] A three-time WNBA All-Star and 13-year veteran known for her explosive quickness as a point guard, Robinson brings extensive experience from teams including the San Antonio Stars, Phoenix Mercury, and Atlanta Dream, where she ranked 13th all-time in league assists and led the WNBA in assists during the 2013 season.[26][3] In her coaching position, Robinson assists head coach Lynne Roberts with player development, game planning, and skill instruction, particularly drawing on her background to mentor guards in areas like ball-handling and transition play.[26] Her approach emphasizes speed, fundamental execution, and leadership—qualities central to her playing career, where she was widely regarded as the league's fastest player and a consistent floor general who prioritized pace and team cohesion.[27][28] Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley highlighted Robinson's potential impact, stating, "Her leadership and experience will continue to make a meaningful impact on our team."[26] During her early tenure in 2025, Robinson contributed to preseason preparations and training camp, helping integrate her insights into the team's strategy ahead of the regular season opener in May.[26] This coaching role complements her ongoing executive duties as Manager of Basketball Integration, where she bridges front-office analytics with on-court application.[3]Career statistics and records
College statistics
During her four seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners from 2007 to 2011, Danielle Robinson played in 141 games, averaging 15.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game overall, while maintaining a field goal percentage of .490 and a free-throw percentage of .852.[29][30] Her season-by-season per-game statistics are summarized in the following table:[29]| Season | Class | Games (G) | Points (PTS) | Assists (AST) | Rebounds (TRB) | Steals (STL) | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | FR | 31 | 12.2 | 4.2 | 2.9 | 2.2 | .480 | .687 |
| 2008-09 | SO | 37 | 12.9 | 5.9 | 2.9 | 2.2 | .556 | .902 |
| 2009-10 | JR | 38 | 16.8 | 5.3 | 3.3 | 1.9 | .465 | .877 |
| 2010-11 | SR | 35 | 18.3 | 5.1 | 3.7 | 2.5 | .458 | .879 |
WNBA regular season
Danielle Robinson played 13 seasons in the WNBA regular season from 2011 to 2023, appearing in 359 games and accumulating career averages of 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.[31] Her overall shooting efficiency included a 45.0% field goal percentage, 19.8% from three-point range, and 86.1% from the free-throw line across 9,334 minutes of play.[31] Robinson's playmaking prowess is highlighted by her career total of 1,479 assists, ranking her 14th on the WNBA's all-time assists list as of her retirement.[32] The following table summarizes her regular-season per-game statistics by year:| Season | Team | G | MP | FG% | 3P% | FT% | PTS | TRB | AST | STL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | SAS | 34 | 23.1 | 46.0 | 0.0 | 90.3 | 8.2 | 2.3 | 3.9 | 0.8 |
| 2012 | SAS | 34 | 29.0 | 54.1 | 0.0 | 78.2 | 9.9 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 1.4 |
| 2013 | SAS | 25 | 32.5 | 44.4 | 0.0 | 79.7 | 11.2 | 3.1 | 6.7 | 1.4 |
| 2014 | SAS | 33 | 33.1 | 45.7 | 0.0 | 94.1 | 12.9 | 3.5 | 5.3 | 1.7 |
| 2015 | SAS | 30 | 30.1 | 39.0 | 0.0 | 90.3 | 9.2 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 0.7 |
| 2017 | PHO | 32 | 23.5 | 43.2 | 0.0 | 84.6 | 6.9 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 1.1 |
| 2018 | MIN | 28 | 18.6 | 44.5 | 15.8 | 85.4 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 0.9 |
| 2019 | MIN | 34 | 27.0 | 43.7 | 22.0 | 87.9 | 10.1 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 1.2 |
| 2020 | LVA | 22 | 22.4 | 51.2 | 38.5 | 81.0 | 7.4 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 0.9 |
| 2021 | IND | 24 | 27.5 | 41.7 | 20.0 | 88.9 | 9.9 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 1.5 |
| 2022 | IND | 31 | 23.6 | 41.9 | 22.5 | 85.0 | 7.4 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 0.7 |
| 2023 | ATL | 32 | 21.6 | 46.1 | 29.0 | 75.0 | 5.8 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 0.7 |
| Career | - | 359 | 26.0 | 45.0 | 19.8 | 86.1 | 8.8 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 1.1 |
WNBA postseason
Danielle Robinson appeared in 28 WNBA postseason games across eight seasons with six teams, averaging 6.8 points, 3.1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game.[2] Her playoff contributions often highlighted her playmaking and scoring in key moments, particularly during her time with the Las Vegas Aces in the 2020 bubble season, where she helped the team reach the Finals.[1] In 2011, Robinson and the San Antonio Stars faced the Minnesota Lynx in the Western Conference Semifinals, losing the best-of-three series 0-2. She averaged 5.3 points, 2.3 assists, and 3.0 rebounds over two games, struggling with efficiency at 25.9% field goal shooting.[33] In 2012, the Stars met the Los Angeles Sparks in the Western Conference Semifinals and were swept 0-2; Robinson averaged 12.0 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game, including a 16-point outing in Game 1.[33] By 2014, another Western Conference Semifinals matchup against the Lynx ended in a 0-2 sweep for San Antonio, with Robinson posting 9.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds, highlighted by an 11-point, 6-assist performance in Game 2.[33][1] In 2015, with the San Antonio Stars, she faced the Phoenix Mercury in the Western Conference Semifinals, losing 0-2; Robinson averaged 9.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds over two games.[34] Shifting teams, Robinson joined the Phoenix Mercury for the 2017 Western Conference Semifinals against the Minnesota Lynx, where Phoenix lost 2-3 in six games; she averaged 2.7 points and 1.0 assist in limited minutes across six games.[33] In 2019 with the Minnesota Lynx, she played just one game in a 0-1 first-round loss to the Seattle Storm, recording 3 assists but no points.[33] Her most impactful postseason came in 2020 with the Las Vegas Aces, who advanced to the Finals after defeating the Chicago Sky 2-0 in the first round, the Connecticut Sun 3-2 in the Semifinals, and then falling 1-3 to the Seattle Storm; Robinson averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds over 11 games, including a playoff-high 18 points in Game 4 of the Semifinals.[33][1] In 2023, with the Atlanta Dream, she appeared in two first-round games against the Dallas Wings, averaging 2.5 points and 4.0 assists in a 0-2 series loss.[33] Among her standout playoff efforts, Robinson dished out a career-high 10 assists in Game 2 of the 2020 Finals against Seattle, contributing to a 93-77 Aces victory that forced a third game.[33] She also notched 10 rebounds in Game 2 of the 2020 Semifinals versus Connecticut, helping secure a 2-0 series lead at that point.[1] These performances underscored her role as a versatile guard in high-stakes elimination scenarios.| Year | Team | Series | G | MPG | PPG | APG | RPG | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | SAS | WCS vs. MIN | 2 | 30.0 | 5.3 | 2.3 | 3.0 | Lost 0-2 |
| 2012 | SAS | WCS vs. LAS | 2 | 32.5 | 12.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | Lost 0-2 |
| 2014 | SAS | WCS vs. MIN | 2 | 30.5 | 9.5 | 6.0 | 3.5 | Lost 0-2 |
| 2015 | SAS | WCS vs. PHO | 2 | 32.0 | 9.5 | 6.0 | 3.5 | Lost 0-2 |
| 2017 | PHO | WCS vs. MIN | 6 | 12.0 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 0.8 | Lost 2-3 |
| 2019 | MIN | FR vs. SEA | 1 | 19.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | Lost 0-1 |
| 2020 | LVA | FR vs. CHI; SF vs. CON; FIN vs. SEA | 11 | 28.5 | 7.5 | 3.5 | 3.8 | Won FR 2-0; Won SF 3-2; Lost FIN 1-3 |
| 2023 | ATL | FR vs. DAL | 2 | 22.0 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 1.5 | Lost 0-2 |
| Career | - | - | 28 | 25.8 | 6.8 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 10-18 |