Former Des Moines East High School and Notre Dame standout Markisha Wright has been promoted to an assistant coach position for the Drake women’s basketball program, head coach Jennie Baranczyk announced Thursday, Oct. 6. Wright was previously the program’s graduate assistant. With Wright’s promotion, former Marquette and WNBA first round selection Angel Robinson has been hired as the program’s new graduate assistant.
“We are really excited to have Markisha coaching this season,” Baranczyk said. “She brings a tremendous amount of experience, gameday readiness, is a competitor and our team loves her.”
Wright led East to a state title in 2011 and a second-place finish in 2010 before going to Notre Dame where she appeared in 138 career games, scoring 443 points and grabbing 353 rebounds. Wright played in four Final Fours and advanced to the championship game three times while a member of the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame compiled an impressive 143-10 record during Wright’s four seasons. Her East teams were also highly successful as the Scarlets went 87-10 in her four prep seasons.
Wright served as a team captain for the Fighting Irish as a senior and was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Honor Roll. She graduated in May 2015 from Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She is pursuing a master’s degree in leadership development at Drake.
“I am extremely happy and thankful that I get the opportunity to continue to work for Jennie and this incredible university,” Wright said. “I am excited to continue to learn to become a better coach and look forward to a great season.”
Robinson played four seasons for Marquette, where Baranczyk was an assistant coach for four seasons. She appeared in 134 career games and started in all but two games of her career, including the last 105 straight. A three-time All-BIG EAST selection, Robinson is the only player in program history to amass more than 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 250 steals in a career.
“Angel is the first former player I have coached to be on our coaching staff and has played at a high-level every part of her playing career,” Baranczyk said. “She brings a contagious spirit, a high-level of energy and a love for the game.”
A native of St. Paul, Minn., Robinson was the No. 22 draft pick in the 2011 WNBA draft by the New York Liberty before having her rights traded to the Minnesota Lynx. She was with the Lynx for training camp before being released. Following her release, Robinson embarked on a four-year playing career in several European countries.
“I am very excited for this amazing opportunity to join the Drake women’s basketball program,” Robinson said. “Basketball has been my life for so many years and I appreciate Jennie who I have known for many years as a former player of her’s at Marquette for this opportunity. We always had a good relationship on-and-off the court and both share a passion for the game. I am very thankful to be at Drake and look forward to helping the staff and student-athletes continue their success.”
Tagged with: DI Staff Update
