Three WBB Players Earn Scholarships To 4-Year Universities

Three Pasadena City College women's basketball players signed scholarship letters of intent to attend and play at 4-year universities Tuesday in a signing ceremony at PCC's Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium. Guard Jolene Robinson is on her way to Cal State Los Angeles while forwards Ilianna Blanc and Kandace Payne are headed to the University of Antelope Valley. 

Robinson, an All-South Coast Conference North Division First Team selection, will be playing for women's basketball legend Cheryl Miller (USC, Olympic gold medalist), the head coach who recruited her at CSULA.

"How about that," said PCC head coach Joe Peron. "Jolene came all the way to us from Canada and now she is going to get to play for her idol at Cal State LA. We knew that both Illiana and Jolene would be in good shape for scholarships because they offer both offense and defense, but I'm especially happy for Kandace, who is a defensive player. Few universities will give a scholarship to a defensive type player and Antelope Valley liked her hustle and tenacity as a role player."

Both Blanc and Payne will play for UAV head coach Jason Pruitt.

The 6-foot Robinson, originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, where she played at Notre Dame Regional Academy, talked about her PCC experience.

"One of the reasons why I came to PCC was that Coach Peron had a structured environment," she said. "He had us watch videotape, and the practices were very regimented. It was the type of program that I was used to playing in Canada. I was really pleased with how we were able to go far in the playoffs. I felt like we were underdogs after Judith Espinoza graduated from the year before. I think the highlight was beating Saddleback at their place. We came together as a team."

Blanc, a two-time All-SCC First Team selection, was with the PCC program for three seasons as her first one was cut short due to a knee injury. She came back as a medical redshirt freshman in 2015-16 and helped the Lancers to twice advance as far as the third round of the Southern California Regional playoffs. Blanc is No. 19 on the college's all-time scoring list with 716 points.

"I had never been hurt before so when I first got injured (ACL), it was tough for me," Blanc said. "Coach Joe told me that things happen for a reason, and he helped me understand not to give up. I worked very hard at rehab for 8 months and got myself back into shape. I felt like I earned this scholarship. When they told me about joining the 500 points club that was special."

Payne was very excited about receiving her scholarship. In her case, she played three seasons before as a freshman and then struggled with her grades.

"Coach Peron never gave up on me," Payne said. "He kept telling me that I had to go to class and get myself eligible again. I really wanted to play basketball here and it was gratifying to make it all the way back to the PCC court. Getting to play more minutes in the playoffs, and the coaches believing in me was a great feeling."