Jerzy Elaine Robinson (born September 11, 2008)[1] is an American basketball player who attends Sierra Canyon. She is considered the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2026.[2]
Early life
Robinson is of Samoan, European, and African American descent.[3] She comes from a multi-sport background, growing up running track, playing soccer, volleyball, and flag football in addition to basketball.[4][5]
High school career
Robinson attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Arizona her freshman year, where she averaged 22.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game on 62% shooting.[6] She helped lead Desert Vista to the first Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) basketball Open Division championship.[7][8] During the championship game she scored 21 points and nine rebounds despite sitting out most of the fourth quarter, in a 63–37 victory.[9] Following the season she was named MaxPreps Arizona High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year.[10]
In June 2023, she announced she would transfer to Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, California.[11][12] In January 2024, she signed a NIL deal with Nike.[13][14] During her sophomore year at Sierra Canyon, she stepped into a starting role after the graduation of JuJu Watkins and averaged 22.5 points and 10.8 rebounds. Following the season she named to the Los Angeles Times All-Star team and the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America Team.[15][16]
She will play for Overtime Select, a new women's basketball league for top high school recruits in August 2024.[17]
National team career
Robinson represented the United States at the 2023 FIBA Under-16 Women's Americas Championship and won a gold medal. She averaged 17.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game, earning tournament MVP honors.[18] At 14 years old, she was the youngest player to ever win MVP at the tournament.[19][20] During a game against Colombia she recorded 21 rebounds, setting a USA basketball under-16 single-game record, surpassing the previous record of 16 set by Lauren Betts in 2019.[21]
Robinson represented the United States at the 2024 FIBA Under-17 Women's Basketball World Cup and won a gold medal. She averaged 20.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per games, and was named tournament MVP.[22] During the championship game against Canada she scored a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds.[23]
Personal life
Robinson is a Christian.[24] She is the daughter of Taryn Uperesa and Darnell Robinson, a former linebacker who played college football at Oregon State.[4][5]
