From the Illinois State Redbirds to the WNBA’s Dallas Wings, Paige Robinson’s basketball career is soaring to new heights.
Appears InRobinson became the first Illinois State women’s basketball player to be selected in the WNBA Draft when she was picked in the third round, 31st overall, by the Wings. The last Redbird to appear in the league is former All-American Kristi Cirone ’09, who signed in 2009 with the Connecticut Sun.
“It’s an honor to be drafted in the WNBA,” Robinson said. “There have been so many great athletes who have gone through the Illinois State women’s basketball program, and for me to be the first one to get drafted—it’s just so surreal to me.”
A graduate transfer from Division II Drury University, Robinson made a profound impact in her lone season as a Redbird. She finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring (18.3 points per game), fifth in 3-point field goal percentage (40.1%), and ninth in free throw percentage (79.3%). She became the fourth Redbird in program history to earn the Jackie Stiles MVC Player of the Year award after helping Illinois State (24-9, 17-3 MVC) win its first regular-season conference championship since 2009-10.
“I just wanted to come to Illinois State and take my game to the next level and try to bring more success to this program,” Robinson said. “The coaching staff and my teammates all contributed to making me grow as a player and as a person.”
Robinson credits head coach Kristen Gillespie—the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year—and the Redbird coaching staff for helping hone her offensive prowess, which she looks forward to showcasing in the WNBA.
“They worked with me on scoring off the bounce, creating my own shot, finishing around the rim, making reads on screens—just a lot of the little things that, by improving in those areas, it opened up a lot of shots for me, and for my teammates,” Robinson said.
A native of Bethany, 20 miles southeast of Decatur, Robinson led the Okaw Valley High School girls’ basketball team to its first state championship appearance, at Illinois State’s CEFCU Arena, in 2018. Since then, Robinson amassed more than twice as many points (2,600) as there are people in her hometown (1,200) during her college career. In her final season, she ranked sixth in the nation among active career scoring leaders across all NCAA divisions.
“I’m just a small-town kid. I’m not from anywhere special,” Robinson said. “So, I think this journey just goes to show that anybody can do it, and I’m just glad that it was me.”
Heading into the WNBA Draft, Robinson said she felt there was a “50-50 chance” that she would be selected. She and her parents nervously watched ESPN’s draft coverage from Illinois State associate head coach Scott Gillespie’s house. Kristen Gillespie joined the watch party, via FaceTime, as she and her family returned from a postseason vacation.
“My heart was beating so fast, and I was like, ‘Come on, come on,’” Robinson said. “Everyone was just waiting. And, as soon as I saw my name, I couldn’t even look anymore. I put my head in my hands, and my mom gave me a big hug. It was such a surreal experience.”
Robinson relished the moment with her mom, Lori, and dad, Brett, who she said are “unmatched” when it comes to parents. Her Redbird coaches and teammates have also become a second family, Robinson said.
“I cannot be more excited for Paige,” Kristen Gillespie said. “She has been special since the moment she stepped on campus. Being drafted is such a testament to the work she puts in daily. I am so proud that I got the chance to coach her this past year. It is an unbelievable day for Paige and Redbird women’s basketball.”
When asked about her team’s fifth selection in the draft, Dallas Wings head coach Latricia Trammell replied: “I’m just so grateful that we were the ones to draft (Robinson) and be that first WNBA Draft pick for Illinois State.”
Robinson, who met with the Wings prior to draft day said: “Their whole organization is awesome. They’re easy to talk to. They have faith in me. They’re excited, I’m excited, and I’m ready to get going and keep working.”
Now focused on her future in the WNBA, Robinson said she feels privileged to have contributed to a memorable championship season at Illinois State.
“I’m just thankful for teammates who helped me so much along the way—putting in extra hours with me, leading me and helping me out when I was the ‘new girl’ last summer,” Robinson said. “Everyone contributed to this year, and I’m just thankful that I was a part of it.”
