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ISU’s WNBA draftee reflects on ‘surreal’ experience from a small town all the way to the pros

Paige Robinson was the first Redbirds ever selected in the WNBA Draft.
GoRedbirds/Dennis Banks
Paige Robinson is the first Redbird ever selected in the WNBA Draft.

The first Illinois State women's basketball player ever drafted by the WNBA says her story is proof that anyone can achieve their goals.

Paige Robinson wasn't on campus long, but she did a lot while she was there.

“This past year couldn’t have gone any better. I’m glad that I chose to come to Illinois State. I honestly don’t think it would have turned out this way if I didn’t come here,” Robinson said during a Zoom call Wednesday with reporters.

Robinson came to ISU as a graduate transfer a year ago. The central Illinois native led the Redbirds in scoring and guided the team to a Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship. Robinson was named the 2022-23 MVC Jackie Stiles Player of the Year. Robinson said her ISU teammates and coaches helped make her a better player and better person.

Now, Robinson gets to live out her dream to play in the pros, with the Dallas Wings, after being selected in the third round of the WNBA draft as the 31st overall pick.

“There’s been so many great athletes that have gone through Illinois State and the basketball program here and for me to be the first one, it’s just so surreal to me. I’m just a small-town kid, I’m not from anywhere special,” Robinson said.

Robinson grew up in the small town of Bethany, south of Decatur, and played four years at Division II Drury University before coming to ISU as a graduate student.
Robinson said the transfer portal that allows players to switch schools without losing eligibility has helped many athletes at smaller schools showcase their skills on a larger stage.

“For them to now have the opportunity to move up a level and showcase their game where the lights are brighter, the stage is bigger, I think it’s a really good opportunity for girls like me to take that jump,” Robinson said.

Robinson rises to the WNBA at a time when women's basketball has seen a surge in popularity. The recent NCAA title game attracted close to 10 million viewers, the largest audience for a women's basketball game in history, and it beat out most men's postseason games in basketball and other sports.

Robinson said she's joining the pro ranks at a good time.

“Obviously, bringing in that much viewership, it’s only going to translate to the professional level as well,” she said.

Robinson will become the second Redbird to play in the WNBA. Kristi Cerone, who was undrafted, had a brief stint with the Connecticut Sun in 2009. The WNBA preseason begins May 5.

Contract extension

ISU athletics has announced women's basketball coach Kristen Gillespie has received a contract extension after leading the Redbirds to the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title last season.

Gillespie gets one year tacked on to her deal. She's now under contract through the 2027-28 season.

Gillespie was named the Valley's coach of the Year last season, a year after leading ISU to the MVC Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

“The past two seasons have been a lot of fun for us and for everyone involved with the program,” Gillespie said in a statement. “I could not be more excited for the future of Illinois State women's basketball and am so appreciative of the support from the university and our awesome Redbird fans!"

Gillespie has compiled a 111-70 record in six seasons at ISU.

Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.
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