Marquette University Athletics
Q&A with Angel Robinson
2/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 21, 2008
MILWAUKEE - Marquette freshman guard Angel Robinson, the highest ranked recruit Terri Mitchell has ever signed, has already made a name for herself as one of the top young talents in the BIG EAST. She has twice been named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week and is second in the BIG EAST in steals (2.88 spg), 32nd in the nation. She broke Krystal Ellis' freshman steals record 23 games into the season, and is 18 steals shy of topping Marquette's single season record.
Megan Miller of Athletics Media Relations recently had a chance to sit down and chat with Robinson about her decision to come to Marquette and how her rookie season has shaped up.
When did you first start playing basketball?
Angel: "I first got involved playing when I was younger. I always watched my brother because he was the big sports guy in the family at the time. I would watch him and my dad play, and eventually I started to play too. I was about five or six years old."
Were you ever involved in other sports?
Angel: "Through junior high I played soccer at a rec center and through my sophomore year of high school I ran on the cross country and track teams."
Why did you choose Marquette? What factors stood out?
Angel: "Paige (Fiedorowicz), Courtney (Weibel) and Jocelyn (Mellen) played on the same AAU team with me in Chicago, so they brought Marquette to my attention. I got to know the coaches and they are all great. When I came for my visit I noticed that the campus wasn't too big, which I liked. The players are all great and I already knew a lot of people, so I thought it would be a perfect fit. As soon as I left from my visit I knew immediately that I wanted to come here."
Were you happy to have the chance to play with Paige, Courtney and Jocelyn again and have some familiar faces on the court with you?
Angel: "They were a big part of my decision to come to Marquette. They loved playing with me and kept asking me to come to school here. I thought it would be a good thing playing with former teammates. It's nice to be on the court with them. You can tell when you're playing with people that you have before. They catch your passes, and always know the tendencies that you have on the floor. It is a lot of fun."
What made you choose the no. 1? You're the first player in the program to choose that number.
Angel: "My favorite number is 11, but I couldn't have 11 because Janelle Harris wears number 11. I have backup numbers, but the other two backup numbers I have were also taken, so number one was the best option because at least it is a part of 11."
Has the adjustment from playing in high school to college been different or any harder than you expected?
Angel: "It is more fast-paced, and tougher as far as conditioning goes. You have to work harder than in high school. In high school it was easy to just go through and do anything that you wanted, but in college it is more disciplined."
What has been the most unexpected thing that you have learned so far?
Angel: "Probably our record. I wasn't expecting us to have had as many struggles so far. I thought we would come out stronger than we did. The length of practices has also been very unexpected. When we first started, I think the length of practice was unexpected to everyone."
What are your goals for yourself this year?
Angel: "I want to learn how to become a better leader on the floor and off the court. I want to lead by example by hustling all of the time and playing good team ball. I will do whatever I can to help my team."
What do you hope and expect the team to accomplish this season?
Angel: "Every team wants to win a championship, so I think that will always be a big goal for us, but I think we're just going to take everything step-by-step and our next goal as a team will be to try and win as many conference games as possible."
How do you see your role on team?
Angel: "I think my role on the team is to be a defensive stopper and make hustle plays. That's what I like to do."
Two games into the season you became the point guard when Krystal Ellis was hurt. What was your mindset at that time to jump into that role?
Angel: "I wasn't expecting to play that position, but the coaches believed in me. Knowing they had confidence in me made it easier. I had to step up and be the leader on the court. I think I was ready. I was nervous the first time, but I got more comfortable in the role and it worked out."
You rank second in the BIG EAST in steals. Has that always been something that you have focused on in your game?
Angel: "It is natural for me. Sometimes I do try to steal the ball and look for the opening, but it isn't something I specifically work on. It just happens. Everyone knows that when you get the chance to steal, you are going to go get the ball. I think it is just natural and an advantage I have."
Your dad attends every home game, is this something he has always done, either home or away games?
Angel: "My dad has always been like that. He also coached me through high school games as an assistant coach. He is always at the games, even in AAU he would try to make it and fly out with me. You will see him at a lot of Marquette games, even the away games. He bought season tickets courtside at the Al McGuire Center and he bought his plane ticket to travel to the UConn game, so he is ready. He will be there. He's definitely excited for this year."
Who were your biggest influences in basketball?
Angel: "My dad and a lot of my family members.I always watched them play, especially my stepbrother. My stepbrother really worked on my game with me, so he gets a lot of credit."
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Angel: "I like to just relax and sleep whenever I can. I enjoy going to the movies and going shopping. I like to go shopping for shoes -- I love shoes."
What is your favorite thing about being a part of Marquette?
Angel: "Finally being able to wear the jersey. It is a big deal for me. I like being a part of the Marquette tradition."
