Caliya Robinson, who just completed her senior season on the Georgia Lady Bulldogs basketball team, was selected by the Indiana Fever in the third round of the 2019 WNBA Draft on Wednesday evening.
As the No. 28 overall pick, the Marietta, Georgia native and 2019 First-Team All-SEC selection becomes the 23rd Lady Bulldog (fourth-most among collegiate women’s basketball programs) and the third Georgia player in the last four years to be selected in the WNBA draft. She is also the 11th Lady Bulldog from the state of Georgia to be drafted.
“This is a dream come true,” Robinson said. “I want to thank the Indiana Fever organization for drafting me and putting their trust in me. I look forward to working tirelessly and becoming the absolute best player I can be at the next level. I also want to thank everyone here at the University of Georgia. From our coaches, to my teammates, to the outstanding support system we have here — I would not be the player I am today without them. Being a Georgia Lady Bulldog is an honor I will take with me the rest of my life.”
Robinson finished her four-year career second in Lady Bulldog history with 292 career blocks and ninth in rebounds with 874 boards. She is one of just five Georgia players — joining Katrina McClain, Tracy Henderson, Tawana McDonald and Angel Robinson — to score over 1,000 career points, record over 800 rebounds and block over 200 shots.
She was a two-time All-Southeastern Conference selection, earning first-team accolades this past season. The 6-foot-3 forward led the league in blocks with 2.5 per game and finished with 74 total swats for the year. Her versatility was unmatched as she ranked in the top-15 among conference leaders in points, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, total rebounds and field-goal percentage.
In 120 career games played, Robinson scored in doubles figures 79 times and recorded double-digit rebounds on 33 occasions. She also totaled 28 double-doubles in four seasons.
“We knew from the start that Caliya was going to be a special player,” head coach Joni Taylor said. “I am so happy for her and, more than anything, proud of the young lady she has become. The Indiana Fever are getting a player whose potential is through the roof. She has all the skill you need to be successful at the next level, and all of us in the Lady Bulldog family look forward to cheering her on.”
Robinson will now take part in team tryouts over the next month. Of the 22 Georgia players taken in the WNBA draft, 19 have earned opening day roster spots.