Tahnee Robinson becomes First American Indian Drafted into the WNBA

by Steve Mohan in Native Currents. Discussion »

BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT - When Tahnee Robinson was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury and then traded to the Connecticut Sun for a 3rd round pick she became the first American Indian drafted in the WNBA draft. She also signed a two year contract with Nike to be apart of their Air Native N7 campaign that started in 2007.

Tahnee Robinson - Shoshone

Robinson grew up on the Wind River Reservation in Fort Washakie, Wyoming, where her family still resides. Her Mother is Pawnee and Shoshone while her father is Northern Cheyenne and Sioux. Tahnee was an all state player at Lander Valley High School leading her team to the 2006 class 3A state title. She was a McDonald’s and Gatorade All-American her senior year.

At Sheridan College she earned NJCAA(National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association) All-American honors. During the 2008-2009 season she led the NJCAA in scoring and lead her team to a win in the Region IX title game.

ALL Western Athletic Conference First Team for University of Nevada

Tahnee then transferred to the University of Nevada for her final two collegiate seasons. She was given the Western Athletic Conference’s Newcomer of the Year award and also was named to the All WAC first team last season. Heading into this season she was named team co-captain and then improved on her impressive junior season. Tahnee finished the year as the nation’s 9th leading scorer at 22.1 points per game. She collected her second All-WAC first team honor and also was selected to the WAC All-Tournament team.

The Connecticut Sun are hoping that Tahnee Robinson can duplicate her stellar play at Nevada during the upcoming WNBA season. Connecticut finished last season at 17-17 good for 5th place in the Eastern Conference. Robinson will join a team that already has the 2010 WNBA Rookie of the Year Tina Charles and last year’s 7th overall pick, Danielle McCray, who ended up missing all of last season with an ACL injury.

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Cool! Way To Go Tahnee. You Inspire all Natives around the US. It must be a great honor to be the first native in the WNBA. I just think it's awesome....