ARLINGTON, TX – Ashley Robinson was selected as the 2019 Dallas Wings Jr. NBA Coach of the Year today, announced Wings Director of Community Development Sean Alexander. As part of the selection process, Robinson will represent the Wings on a national level and go up against coaches nominated by WNBA and NBA teams for Jr. NBA Coach of the Year.
Robinson, a retired 10-year WNBA veteran from Grand Prairie, Texas, graduated from South Grand Prairie High School in 2000 and went on to play for the legendary Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee. Her Lady Vols competed in three Final Fours and two championship games. Robinson received a degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Business.
Robinson was drafted 13th overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury. She spent much of her career with the Seattle Storm, checking a championship off her bucket list with the Storm in 2010. Robinson also played overseas in various countries including Israel, Turkey, Russia, Spain, Czech Republic, Australia and South Korea.
After a successful career in the WNBA, Ashley spends her time raising her son Destin, aka Dez, growing her businesses and giving back to amateur student athletes through basketball training programs. With her training programs, Robinson coaches student athletes on how to reach the same height she did through camps, clinics, mentoring sessions and personal lessons. Robinson is the Founder and Owner of AKR Texas Summitt and AKR Athletics and was the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for Trinity Christian School, as well as the Junior High Head Coach for Trinity Christian School.
“I’m honored to be chosen as the Dallas Wings Jr. NBA Coach of the Year,” Robinson said. “With more than 25 years of experience in women’s basketball, my mission is to give as many girls and boys that same opportunities and experiences I had as a child. I believe, if kids touch, see and feel what they want to become, then they will believe those goals can and will be achieved. In 1996 I said I wanted to be a WNBA player like Lisa Leslie. The adults and all the coaches in my life put me around the elite of the elite from that day on. I’m honored to be that coach for so many kids. I’m forever humbled and honored to serve my community.”
The Jr. NBA Coach of the Year program was created to recognize and celebrate youth basketball coaches in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that demonstrate outstanding integrity, character, leadership and who have extraordinary impact on young people on and off the court.
The pool of local winners will be narrowed down to eight semifinalists and subsequently three national finalists. Each national finalist will be awarded a $2,500 grant to support their local youth basketball organizations and receive a trip to attend the Jr. NBA Youth Basketball Leadership Conference in May 2019. The national Jr. NBA Coach of the Year winner will be selected from among the three finalists and will receive an additional $2,500 grant, as well as be announced on a national stage at the Jr. NBA Youth Basketball Leadership Conference.
Below is a list of finalists for the 2019 Dallas Wings Jr. NBA Coach of the Year:
Ashley Robinson – AKR Texas Summit
Corey Hedgewood – DFW Elite
Michael Cooper – DC Queens
Amy Ingram – Birdville High School
Evelyn Dickerson – Burnett High School
Jon Walker – Crab5
Ralph Walker – Nike Cyfair BIQ
Kathy Gomez – The Huskies Basketball Club
Max Reese – P.U.S.H Athletics Academy/Dallas Lightning/Higher Goals
Joyce Ekrowomadu – YWLA-Arnold Jr High School
Adrian Hawkins – Trinity Christian High School
Brittany Foster – Lewisville High School
Demarquie Price – Trendsetters
Ricky Blackerby – Hoop Society
Stephanie Cooper- Grand Prairie High School
Chris Battle – Arlington Rise Basketball
Dave Greer – Paschal High School
