The coverage of amateur basketball has completely evolved over the past couple of decades, and now one high school athlete is on pace to become one of the biggest names in sports . Personally, I am not a fan of the overhyped reporting and unrealistic expectations placed on teenagers by middle aged people who do not know their way around a treadmill. Somehow, twitter evaluators crown a new generational talent in every recruiting class, without giving these young people room to develop or a soft place to land if they do not develop at the desired rate. With that being said, I am in full hypocrisy, ready to engage in crowning a new generational talent. Jerzy Robinson, 14 year old star, is the most impressive high school prospect I have ever seen and she's only completed one year of high school basketball. In my ten year career, I have been fortunate enough to witness and participate in the most skilled era of basketball. Over the past decade I have coached, trained, and recruited the game all over the country and have laid eyes on some of the best this country has had to offer. I can confidently say that I have never seen a more complete basketball player at the age of 14 in my entire life, male or female. The two names that immediately come to mind are OJ Mayo and Emoni Bates but I was only 10 years old when OJ was 14 and I firmly believe Jerzy is more complete now than Emoni was as a 14 year old freshman at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Now, if you have never seen Jerzy play, or believe that this is yet another overhyped, hyperbole filled, click bate link, bear with me for a second. Let's recap what has transpired since her 14th birthday; She is ranked as the #1 player in the 2026 class and currently holds 18 scholarship offers. She was the best player on the 2022-23 Desert Vista High School team that won the Arizona State Championship. She averaged 22 & 8 and they won the state championship game 63-37. This summer she won a gold medal in the FIBA Americas Championships with the USA U16 team, where she was the youngest player on the team and averaged 17 & 10, including a 24 point, 14 rebound performance in the gold medal game vs Canada. The gold medalist then competed on the Nike EYBL 17U circuit, averaging 17 & 8. She has reportedly transferred to California powerhouse Sierra Canyon, where she would be paired with five star 2024 recruit, Mackenzie Randolph.
Clearly, I am a fan of her game and believe she has true star potential. The 6'1 combo guard plays with a confident physicalness that just isn't present amongst most athletes her age. She has incredible body control and a first step that the best guards in the country have trouble with. She's physically imposing but also graceful, she's great in transition and finishes comfortably with either hand. As an athlete who is so advanced it's particularly difficult to evaluate her weaknesses, knowing that she is NEVER playing with anyone her age. I believe she could become a better shooter off the catch, at the Americas Championships, she shot 23% from 3 in six games. I believe that will be the next part of her development as well as playmaking for others. Eventually, the talent gap will shrink a little and the coaching abilities will improve a lot, providing more opportunities to create shots for her teammates.
Now, it does not take a basketball expert to tell you that this young lady is on a path headed straight for the WNBA, the question is, how soon? Currently, the WNBA requirement for domestic players is to be 22 years old during the draft year and must be 4 years removed from their high school graduation. Under the current league rules, Jerzy would not be WNBA eligible for another seven years! Considering her basketball IQ and overall maturity, combined with her size and overall skill set, I personally believe that she'll be playing at a professional level in no more than four years. This means three years of meaningless domination at the collegiate level where she will be in limbo, awaiting WNBA eligibility (Thank God for NIL). I'm speaking from strictly a basketball standpoint and am well aware of the advantages remaining in school for four years can have on one's life. But as a HOOPER, Jerzy Robinson deserves the opportunity to be able to compete in the best league in the world when she is ready. 1. Because she is an unbelievable talent and 2. Because it would benefit the league!
The WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement is where any substantial changes to league regulations would have to be made. The current CBA is in effect until 2027, one year into Jerzy Robinson's collegiate career. A league that has struggled to consistently market their product and grow its fan base has a HUGE opportunity to capitalize, if they can take advantage of the moment. A moment that is the culmination of so many previous events and sacrifices made by incredible women throughout the years. The Sheryl Swoope's and Lisa Leslie's of the world gave way for Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings, who opened doors for Candace Parker and Maya Moore to walk through and establish lanes for A'ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston. Now the stage is set, Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese have helped cultivate this new era of women's hoops and Jerzy Robinson is the perfect athlete, that is coming at the perfect time, to create perfect change. No pressure to the young lady, this is just a hooper recognizing greatness.
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