ATLANTA (March 16, 2021) — LaChina Robinson, analyst for ESPN, Fox Sports and NBA TV’s coverage of college and professional women’s basketball, is the recipient of the 2021 WBCA Mel Greenberg Media Award, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced today.
Named after Mel Greenberg, the Philadelphia Inquirer sportswriter who founded the Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll, the award is presented annually to a member of the media or sports communications professional who has best displayed a commitment to women’s basketball and to advancing the role of the media in the women’s game. Selected by past recipients of the award, the candidate must have made a positive impact on the growth and public exposure — regional or national — of the sport, been involved in the media exposure of women’s basketball for a minimum of five years and should be a media ambassador for the women’s game. Greenberg, the preeminent name in women’s basketball coverage, received the inaugural award in 1991.
“I am pleased to announce LaChina Robinson as the recipient of the 2021 WBCA Mel Greenberg Media Award,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "LaChina is a powerful voice for our game. Known for her work ethic and dedication, she is trusted to promote the priceless narrative and stories that make up our game. The WBCA salutes LaChina for her many contributions to feature and advance women’s basketball student-athletes and coaches."
Robinson is an award-winning basketball analyst for ESPN in her 12th season of college basketball and entering her 14th season of WNBA coverage for various networks including Turner and Fox. Her work around the sport as an analyst and reporter spans a wide range of collegiate and WNBA events during the regular season, including the NCAA Tournament as well as WNBA playoffs, finals, and draft coverage.
Robinson is the host of the espnW podcast “Around The Rim” which was chosen as one of the best sports podcasts of 2017 by Sports Illustrated. She was a student-athlete at Wake Forest University where she achieved All-ACC recognition both in the classroom and on the court. Robinson has been inducted into two Hall of Fames in her hometown including the Inaugural Alexandria City Public School’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.
In 2018, Robinson was presented with the Dawn Staley Excellence in Broadcasting Award by the Phoenix Club of Philadelphia. That award honors women in broadcasting who have excelled in covering women’s college basketball.
“I literally cried when I found out I am being honored as the recipient of this year’s award,” said Robinson. “After playing my last collegiate basketball game, I knew I wanted to give back to the sport that shaped the trajectory of my life. However, I never dreamed I would receive a recognition like this while supporting the game I love.
“I am so grateful to God for giving me this life purpose, and for all of the people who have supported my journey. To my family, friends, mentors, colleagues and stakeholders of our game, thank you for believing in my dream to help grow the sport of women’s basketball. Beyond the recognition of this award in and of itself, it means so much to me that this is a recognition from my peers who selected me for this honor. It means even more to be the second black woman in 30 years to receive the Mel Greenberg Media Award, second to the great Robin Roberts.
“I hope all of the coaches and players I have had the pleasure and privilege to cover throughout my career know how many great memories and moments they have brought to my life,” Robinson added. “I look forward to continuing our work together to collectively expand the reach of this great sport to an even bigger and more diverse audience. Thank you.”
In 2020, Robinson was recognized with the Giving Gracefully Award as a nod to her work as co-founder of her own non-profit, “Rising Media Stars,” which is a mentorship and training program for young women of color who want to start a career in sports broadcasting. Robinson has also given countless volunteer hours including current appointments to the boards of trustees for the Women’s Sports Foundation and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Since 2008 Robinson has also served as the founder and CEO of her own consulting company, “Stretch Beyond,” through which she serves as an NCAA-certified facilitator and career transition coach for women and athletes. Robinson’s work in this space has made her a sought-after personal brand developer and keynote speaker for colleges and universities including Notre Dame, California, Florida, Georgia Tech, Penn State, and many others.
Visit www.wbca.org/recognize/ to see a list of past recipients.
About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
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