Crystal Robinson
Encyclopedia
Crystal Robinson is a former Women's National Basketball Association
player who played for the Washington Mystics
and New York Liberty
. She grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma
.
. She participated in the inaugural WBCA High School All-America Game in 1992, scoring a game-high twenty-five points, and earning MVP honors.
. She was inducted in to the NAIA
Hall of Fame of Women's Basketball Athlete category on March 18, 2003. She was chosen to The Daily Oklahoman All-Century Team for both Oklahoma high schools and universities, becomes just the third women's basketball player ever to be enshrined by the Association, joining Kelly Litsch of Southwestern Oklahoma State University
and Jo Metzger of Western Washington University
.
in the American Basketball League, Robinson was selected 6th overall in the 1999 WNBA draft
by the New York Liberty
. She played 7 years for the Liberty.
Robinson signed with the Washington Mystics
on February 8, 2006.
.
After coaching with the Washington Mystics
, she went back to Oklahoma to coach high school girls basketball for the McAlester High School Lady Buffaloes for a short stint, where she guided the Laby Buffs to a State title. On December 23, 2009, she became the Head Coach for the Women’s Basketball program at Murray State College
in Tishomingo, Oklahoma
. Other notable coaches at Murray State College are Mens Basketball Head Coach, Randy Rutherford, former Oklahoma State standout guard, along with assistant coach Joe Adkins, another former Oklahoma State standout guard.
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
player who played for the Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
and New York Liberty
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
. She grew up in Atoka, Oklahoma
Atoka, Oklahoma
Atoka is a city in Atoka County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,052 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Atoka County.-Geography:Atoka is located at ....
.
High school
Robinson attended Atoka High School in Atoka, Oklahoma, where she was named a High School All-American by the WBCAWomen's Basketball Coaches Association
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is an association of coaches of women's basketball teams at all levels.The organization was formed in 1981, with the goal of addressing the needs of women's basketball coaches.The mission of the WBCA is:...
. She participated in the inaugural WBCA High School All-America Game in 1992, scoring a game-high twenty-five points, and earning MVP honors.
College
Robinson attended Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversitySoutheastern Oklahoma State University
Southeastern Oklahoma State University, often referred to as Southeastern and abbreviated as SE, or SOSU, is a public university located in Durant, Oklahoma, with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,229 as of 2009.-History:...
. She was inducted in to the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
Hall of Fame of Women's Basketball Athlete category on March 18, 2003. She was chosen to The Daily Oklahoman All-Century Team for both Oklahoma high schools and universities, becomes just the third women's basketball player ever to be enshrined by the Association, joining Kelly Litsch of Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a public university in Weatherford and Sayre, Oklahoma. It is one of seven state regional universities in the state of Oklahoma.The current president of SWOSU is Randy Beutler.-History:...
and Jo Metzger of Western Washington University
Western Washington University
Western Washington University is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in Bellingham and offers bachelor's and master's degrees.-History:...
.
Professional career
After playing for the Colorado XplosionColorado Xplosion
The Colorado Xplosion was the first women's professional basketball franchise in Colorado, an American Basketball League team based in Denver. Playing from 1996 through 1998, the team produced many memorable moments for Colorado sports fans and followers of women's professional basketball in...
in the American Basketball League, Robinson was selected 6th overall in the 1999 WNBA draft
WNBA Draft
The WNBA Draft is an annual draft held by the WNBA through which WNBA teams can select new players from a talent pool of college and professional women's basketball players. The first WNBA draft was held in 1997...
by the New York Liberty
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
. She played 7 years for the Liberty.
Robinson signed with the Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
on February 8, 2006.
Coaching career
Robinson announced her retirement on June 1, 2007 to become an assistant coach with the Washington MysticsWashington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
.
After coaching with the Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
, she went back to Oklahoma to coach high school girls basketball for the McAlester High School Lady Buffaloes for a short stint, where she guided the Laby Buffs to a State title. On December 23, 2009, she became the Head Coach for the Women’s Basketball program at Murray State College
Murray State College
Murray State College, is a public, co-educational community college located in southeastern Oklahoma with the main campus located in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The college is named in honor of former Oklahoma Governor William H...
in Tishomingo, Oklahoma
Tishomingo, Oklahoma
Tishomingo is the largest city and the county seat of Johnston County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 3,162 at the 2000 census. It was the first capital of the Chickasaw Nation. Murray State College, a community college, with an annual enrollment of 1,600 students is located in...
. Other notable coaches at Murray State College are Mens Basketball Head Coach, Randy Rutherford, former Oklahoma State standout guard, along with assistant coach Joe Adkins, another former Oklahoma State standout guard.
Vital statistics
- Position: Forward
- Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
- College: Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversitySoutheastern Oklahoma State UniversitySoutheastern Oklahoma State University, often referred to as Southeastern and abbreviated as SE, or SOSU, is a public university located in Durant, Oklahoma, with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,229 as of 2009.-History:...
- Team(s): New York LibertyNew York LibertyThe New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
, Washington MysticsWashington MysticsThe Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
(WNBA)