In a landmark moment for high school basketball, Jerzy Robinson has etched her name into the annals of Sierra Canyon School history by surpassing the career scoring record previously held by USC sensation JuJu Watkins. The achievement marks a passing of the torch between two of the most electrifying talents to ever grace the hardwood for the prestigious California prep powerhouse, setting a new standard for excellence in a program known for producing elite talent.
The 6-foot-2 guard, who ranks fifth in the elite SportsCenter NEXT 100 class of 2026, reached this milestone during a marquee matchup at the renowned Hoophall Classic on January 17. Facing off against Long Island Lutheran High School, Robinson delivered a spectacular 33-point performance that elevated her career total to an impressive 2,355 points, eclipsing Watkins' previous benchmark of 2,322 points set before her graduation in 2023. The Hoophall Classic, held in Springfield, Massachusetts, represents one of the premier high school basketball events in the nation, making it a fitting stage for such a historic accomplishment.
What makes this accomplishment particularly remarkable is the timeline. Just two weeks prior, Watkins became the first athlete in Sierra Canyon's storied history to have her jersey retired—a testament to her transformative impact on the program. The ceremony honoring Watkins was a watershed moment for the school, recognizing not just statistical dominance but cultural impact. Now, Robinson finds herself mentioned in the same breath as her predecessor, a reality she doesn't take lightly and one that speaks to the program's rapid ascent in women's basketball.
"I would say JuJu is greatness," Robinson reflected in an interview with ESPN. "So, to be in that category, that league is a blessing. The biggest honor, you know, to be able to come to Sierra Canyon is by far, one of my biggest blessings ever in my life." Her words reflect a deep respect for the legacy she's inherited while acknowledging the unique opportunity the school has provided.
The irony wasn't lost on anyone when Sierra Canyon orchestrated a surprise recognition ceremony during Thursday night's contest against Chaminade High School. Robinson, who poured in 29 points while grabbing eight rebounds in that game, admitted she had no idea she had already broken the record. The mid-game celebration caught her completely off guard, creating an emotional moment that highlighted the tight-knit nature of the Sierra Canyon community.
"It's the greatest honor," Robinson expressed, still processing the moment. "But I think it's just the beginning for my goals... This is obviously motivation, and it makes me want to work harder at the end of the day. We're not done yet." Her forward-looking perspective reveals the mindset of a player who understands that individual accolades, while meaningful, are stepping stones to larger team objectives.
This milestone represents just one facet of Robinson's burgeoning legacy. She has become only the third girls' basketball player in Sierra Canyon history to join the exclusive 2,000-point and 1,000-rebound club, a distinction she shares with Watkins and 2024 graduate Mackenly Randolph. This dual accomplishment underscores her rare combination of scoring prowess and tenacious rebounding ability, a skill set that has made her a matchup nightmare for opponents.
The journey to this point has been anything but conventional. Robinson initially burst onto the national scene as the top-ranked player in her class while attending Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, where she accumulated 683 points and established herself as Arizona's premier talent. However, seeking greater competition and exposure, she made the pivotal decision to transfer to Sierra Canyon for her sophomore season—a move that has clearly paid dividends and positioned her for national prominence.
Since arriving at the Chatsworth-based school, Robinson's development has accelerated dramatically. During her junior campaign, she posted staggering averages of 27 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, establishing herself as a nightly double-double threat. Her versatility as a guard who can dominate the paint has made her virtually unguardable at the high school level, with college coaches marveling at her unique blend of size, skill, and basketball IQ.
The recent scoring record comes on the heels of Robinson's return to the court following a leg injury that temporarily sidelined her. As captain of the varsity squad, her leadership and on-court excellence have been instrumental in Sierra Canyon's continued dominance. Her resilience in bouncing back from injury while maintaining elite production speaks volumes about her mental toughness and work ethic, qualities that have endeared her to teammates and coaches alike.
Beyond her high school exploits, Robinson has become a fixture in USA Basketball's pipeline. This past summer, she captured her third gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Brno, Czechia. In that tournament, she contributed 7.7 points and four rebounds per game, showcasing her ability to impact winning at the international level against the world's best young talent. Her experience with USA Basketball has accelerated her development and prepared her for the rigors of elite competition.
The significance of Robinson's achievement extends beyond mere numbers. It represents the evolution of Sierra Canyon as a premier destination for elite women's basketball talent. The program has become a factory for future college and professional stars, with Watkins currently lighting up the Pac-12 at USC and Robinson already committed to joining the powerhouse program at South Carolina, which she announced in December. This pipeline of talent has elevated Sierra Canyon's status to that of a national powerhouse.
When Robinson arrives in Columbia, she'll be following in the footsteps of other Gamecock legends. South Carolina's program, under the guidance of Dawn Staley, has become the gold standard in women's college basketball, making Robinson's commitment a perfect marriage of elite talent and elite development. The Gamecocks' recent national championships and consistent production of WNBA talent make them an ideal destination for a prospect of Robinson's caliber.
For now, though, Robinson's focus remains squarely on finishing her high school career with the ultimate prize. "I hope to finish my high school career at Sierra Canyon with a state championship," she stated emphatically. The record is nice, but hardware is the goal. This team-first mentality has become a hallmark of Sierra Canyon's culture, where individual success is viewed through the lens of collective achievement.
The timing of Robinson's ascent is particularly noteworthy in the broader context of women's basketball. The sport is experiencing unprecedented growth in popularity and visibility, with high school stars becoming household names long before they reach college. Robinson and Watkins represent this new era of prep-to-pro phenoms who capture national attention through social media, national showcases like the Hoophall Classic, and grassroots basketball circuits that have transformed player development.
Their shared path—both transferring to Sierra Canyon as sophomores—also highlights the increasingly common practice of elite players seeking optimal development environments. Sierra Canyon has positioned itself as the destination for such talent, offering not just top-tier competition but also the platform and exposure that modern prospects require to maximize their potential and marketability.
As Robinson continues to add to her point total, the question becomes how high she can push the record before her own graduation. With her senior season still ahead, she has the opportunity to create a margin that could stand for years to come. Given her current trajectory and the 30-point performances that have become routine, she could potentially finish with a total approaching 2,800 or even 3,000 points—numbers that would place her in rarified air nationally and cement her status as one of the greatest high school scorers of her generation.
The respect between Robinson and Watkins exemplifies the sisterhood within women's basketball. Despite the competitive nature of breaking records, there's an acknowledgment of shared struggle and mutual admiration. Watkins' jersey retirement wasn't just a celebration of her individual achievement—it was a raising of the bar for every Sierra Canyon player who follows, creating a standard of excellence that pushes each subsequent generation to greater heights.
Robinson has cleared that bar with grace and humility, immediately deflecting credit and pointing toward future goals. Her response to the record—treating it as motivation rather than a finish line—reveals the mindset that has made her a generational prospect and a favorite among college recruiters and national team selectors.
In an era where individual accolades often overshadow team success, Robinson's emphasis on pursuing a state championship demonstrates her understanding of true legacy. Records are broken; championships last forever. The scoring title ensures her name lives in the record books, but a title would immortalize her in Sierra Canyon lore and provide the perfect capstone to her prep career.
As the basketball world continues to track her development, one thing is certain: Jerzy Robinson is just getting started. The record is a milestone, not a destination. With South Carolina awaiting her arrival and professional aspirations certainly on the horizon, this moment at Sierra Canyon serves as a launching pad for what promises to be a spectacular career that could span decades.
The game has changed for women's basketball, and players like Robinson are leading the charge—one record-breaking performance at a time. Her journey from Phoenix prodigy to Sierra Canyon legend to future Gamecock represents the new paradigm of player development, where talent, work ethic, and opportunity converge to create something truly special.