At the young age of 4 or 5, Taya Robinson used to play basketball around the house. Then, when she was about 8, she started playing organized basketball in places such as the YMCA. At 13, she began to take it more seriously and joined school teams. This is a story Taya’s parents tell her all the time. Now, as a senior in high school she is looking forward to graduating and continuing her journey with basketball in college. “Basketball for me was and still is a way to clear my mind,” Taya wrote in an essay. “It is something that I love to do.” The crowd, the atmosphere, the sport in general are all components of basketball that excite Taya.

One lesson the sport has taught her is to not take anything for granted. Last year she suffered from an injury, but she worked through it and learned to remain humble. These are lessons she will take with her to college. Next fall, Taya plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. Not only did the kind coaching staff attract her to VCU, but also the fact that her high school coach used to play for the school. “I like their staff, I like their facility and how they do things and it just felt like the best fit for me,” Taya said. At VCU, Taya plans to major in business information systems and minor in marketing. At first she considered studying sports management, but she realized she preferred computers, technology and math much more to science. After graduating, Taya hopes to be able to play for the WNBA. After playing for some years, she wants to use her business degree to start her own business or maybe even become the owner of an NBA or WNBA team. Taya aspires to “stick around and improve the franchise of a sport that I love.”

While she is still in school, Taya has been able to participate in community outreach with her basketball team. She has also volunteered with Ebenezer Baptist Church feeding the homeless, and she has volunteered with UPS. Some of her in school organizations include Future Business Leaders of America, Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society. With all the time she puts into basketball and other extracurricular activities, Taya still works hard with her academics and currently has a 4.67 GPA.

In regards to basketball, Taya likes watching the Cleveland Cavaliers because Lebron James is her favorite player. To Taya, he carries the team on his back and does it all. Outside of basketball, one of her biggest influences in life is her older brother. “It’s just everything. He’s always there for me,” Taya said “He just always tells me to do what’s best for me.” Taya has been encouraged along the way and hopes to continue progressing. She has learned leadership skills through basketball that she will take to the court in future games and also in future classrooms.