South Carolina women’s basketball commit Jerzy Robinson has been named a Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Girls’ High School Player of the Year Semifinalist, joining an elite group of 10 prospects vying for high school basketball’s most prestigious individual honor.
The announcement came on Tuesday, February 10, recognizing the nation’s top high school players. For Robinson, the nomination continues a senior season filled with accolades and milestone achievements.
Breaking Records at Sierra Canyon
Robinson, a 6-foot-1 guard from Sierra Canyon High School in California, is a physical and versatile scorer who is a consensus top-five recruit in the 2026 class. Her combination of size, athleticism, and scoring ability has made her one of the most coveted prospects in the country.
In January, Robinson accomplished something even the most optimistic projections didn’t anticipate: she became Sierra Canyon’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing a record previously held by Southern California star Juju Watkins.
The significance of that achievement cannot be overstated. Watkins went on to set the NCAA freshman scoring record at USC, establishing herself as one of the most prolific scorers in women’s college basketball history. For Robinson to eclipse Watkins’ high school scoring mark signals the type of offensive talent Dawn Staley is bringing to Columbia.
Awards and Recognition
Beyond the Naismith semifinalist honor, Robinson has collected an impressive array of accolades:
- McDonald’s All-American selection
- Nike Hoop Summit invitation
- Consensus top-five national ranking in the 2026 class
These honors place Robinson among the elite prospects in her class and reflect the national recognition she’s earned through dominant performances at one of the nation’s premier high school programs.
The Commitment: A Garnet and Black Statement
Robinson did not sign during the November early signing period, creating suspense around her college decision. On December 23, 2025, she ended the speculation in style, announcing her commitment to South Carolina live on ESPN.
The announcement was unmistakably Gamecock-themed: Robinson wore a garnet outfit with black Nikes, and her nails were painted garnet, black, and white—leaving no doubt about her destination.
Robinson chose South Carolina over LSU and UConn, two programs with recent national championship pedigree. The decision represented a significant recruiting victory for Staley and her staff, who beat out Kim Mulkey’s Tigers and the nation’s top-ranked Huskies for one of the class’s premier talents.
South Carolina’s Star-Studded 2026 Class
Robinson headlines what is shaping up to be an elite recruiting class for the Gamecocks:
Already on Campus:
- Alicia Tournebize (Forward) – The 6-foot-7 international prospect enrolled early and joined the team in January, already making an impact with her surprising three-point shooting and defensive presence.
Future Signees:
- Kaeli Wynn (Forward) – A top-20 recruit from California and Robinson’s best friend. The chemistry between the two could create a devastating wing combination for years to come.
- Kelsi Andrews (Post) – A top-20 recruit from Florida who brings size and interior scoring ability.
Injury Concerns for Future Teammates
The 2026 class has dealt with some adversity during the high school season:
Kaeli Wynn has missed her entire senior season due to a knee injury, preventing her from playing alongside Robinson at the high school level before both arrive in Columbia.
Kelsi Andrews has been limited by a preseason knee injury but has still performed well enough to earn a McDonald’s All-American Game nomination, demonstrating her talent and toughness.
Both players will arrive at South Carolina with the benefit of Dawn Staley’s renowned training and medical staff, who have successfully managed player recoveries and development throughout her tenure.
The Competition
Robinson faces stiff competition for the Naismith Trophy. The other nine semifinalists are:
- Addison Bjorn
- Oliviyah Edwards
- Maddyn Greenway
- Saniyah Hall
- Kate Harpring
- Kaleena Smith
- Olivia Vukosa
- Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka
- McKenna Woliczko
Notably, Kaleena Smith and Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka are uncommitted juniors currently being recruited by South Carolina, indicating the Gamecocks’ continued pursuit of elite talent in the 2027 class.
South Carolina’s Naismith Trophy Legacy
If Robinson wins the award, she would become the third Gamecock to earn the honor and continue a remarkable tradition of excellence:
High School Naismith Trophy Winners:
- A’ja Wilson (2014) – Went on to become a three-time Naismith College Player of the Year finalist and won the award in 2018
- Raven Johnson (2021) – Currently South Carolina’s starting point guard and defensive anchor
College Naismith Trophy Winners:
- A’ja Wilson (2018) – Three-time finalist before winning as a senior
- Aliyah Boston (2022) – Three-time finalist before winning
Additional Finalists:
- Tiffany Mitchell – Two-time finalist
- Shannon Johnson – Finalist
- Jocelyn Penn – Finalist
This legacy demonstrates South Carolina’s ability to not only recruit elite high school talent but develop those players into college stars and WNBA professionals.
What Robinson Brings to South Carolina
Robinson’s physical, versatile scoring style fits perfectly with Dawn Staley’s system. At 6-1, she has the size to defend multiple positions while possessing the ball-handling and playmaking skills to operate as a primary creator.
Her ability to score at all three levels—finishing at the rim through contact, pulling up from mid-range, and extending to the three-point line—makes her nearly impossible to game plan against. Defenders who play off her risk jump shots; those who close out hard face blow-bys to the basket.
Perhaps most importantly, Robinson has demonstrated the mental toughness and competitive fire that defines South Carolina basketball. Breaking Sierra Canyon’s all-time scoring record previously held by Juju Watkins required not just talent but relentless consistency and a scorer’s mentality.
The Future is Bright
Robinson’s arrival in Columbia for the 2026-27 season could coincide with South Carolina’s continued championship pursuit. Depending on roster retention and development, she could step into significant minutes immediately, potentially alongside returning players and her fellow 2026 classmates.
The combination of Robinson’s scoring, Wynn’s versatility (assuming full recovery from injury), Andrews’ interior presence, and Tournebize’s continued development could form the core of South Carolina’s next championship team.
For now, Robinson continues building her case for the Naismith Trophy while preparing for the transition to college basketball. Whether or not she wins the award, her commitment to South Carolina ensures that Dawn Staley’s program will continue attracting and developing the nation’s premier talent for years to come.
The Gamecocks’ tradition of Naismith Trophy winners—from A’ja Wilson to Raven Johnson to potentially Jerzy Robinson—reflects a program where elite high school players come to compete for championships, develop their games, and prepare for professional careers.
Robinson’s journey is just beginning, but her destination is clear: Columbia, South Carolina, where the nation’s best come to prove they belong among the elite.
source: on3
