Tulsa WNBA Player Visits Local Hospital

Originally Published: Jan 22, 2010 6:42 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Reporter

TULSA, Oklahoma – Scholanda Robinson is used to being looked up to. The 5-foot-11 guard for Tulsa’s yet-to-be-named WNBA franchise starred in college at Louisiana State before jumping to the pro ranks. She has signed countless autographs for hundreds of fans, but Friday’s trip to Saint Francis Children’s Hospital in her new hometown, really put life in perspective.

“I love kids, and I enjoy any appearances and activities that include kids,” said Robinson. “Just seeing them smile, you know, is really heart-warming and makes me feel better about what I do.”

Robinson came straight from the airport to visit about a dozen children and their families at Saint Francis Friday afternoon. The appearance was her first activity in the city that she’ll play for starting in March.

The four-year WNBA veteran has a seven-year-old daughter, and was pleased to hear some of the children in the hospital were basketball fans. Twelve-year-old Steven DiGiovanna was one of the kids Robinson visited, and he was happy to get a visit from a professional athlete.

“It’s really great and kind of makes you feel better,” said the young cancer patient. “Just having her here was great.”

The Tulsa franchise will unveil its team name and color scheme at halftime of Saturday’s Harlem Globetrotters game at the BOK Center in Tulsa. Robinson insists that, even though she is on the team, nobody told her any secrets about her new team.

“I hate waiting, so I wish that I could get a sneak peek and at least get to know the colors or something,” said Robinson. “It’ll be fun to get to meet the people in the community and be a part of something exciting.”

The Shock, Tempo and Fire are the three potential names for the new franchise. The colors are the wild card, and Robinson says anything works for her.

“I’m thinking blue will be in there somewhere. I don’t really have a preference. I’ve seen a lot of purple with LSU and Sacramento (Monarchs), so I’m ready for something different.”

The 27-year old hopes she can be a role model for young kids in Tulsa, and looks forward to getting to play some basketball for her new friends at the hospital.

“I know (head coach) Nolan Richardson already has a pretty good following here, so hearing (the kids) say they like basketball, hopefully they’ll come out and watch.”