Both Angel Robinson and Trevor Mbakwe are two former local prep stars who went on to play college and pro basketball. Now they are working together at Tartan High School.
Mbakwe sees participation rebound
Trevor Mbakwe had a stellar basketball playing career, including six years overseas in such countries as Italy, Germany, Israel and Russia. The St. Paul native then went on to pursue a career in both sports and education.
Since 2023, Mbakwe has been the activities director at Tartan High School. He held a similar position at Eden Prairie High School for two years previously.
“I think we’re getting back to a better place where kids are participating more, “said Mbakwe on high school sports four years after the COVID pandemic. “My goal is to support you in whatever sport [the student chooses to participate in].”
Before turning pro, the 6’8” Mbakwe played high school ball at Sibley and at St. Bernard’s High Schools. Unfortunately, his chronic knee injuries first emerged in college — Marquette (2008), Miami-Dade College (2008-09), and the University of Minnesota (2010-2013), where he led the Big Ten in rebounding in his first year playing for then-coach Tubby Smith.
His career highlights also include a three-time pro champion (2015 German League, 2016 Israeli Cup, 2018 Italian Cup), and he was named the top center in the Italian League in 2018. Stateside, Mbakwe also has been assistant boys basketball coach (Benilde- St. Margaret) and JV head coach at Eden Prairie before going into athletic administration full time.
“The best part of my job is to give back,” said Mbakwe.
Robinson did what she needed to do
Angel Robinson’s playing resume speaks for itself: 2007 Minnesota Miss Basketball, undefeated state championship season at St. Paul Central, 4-time All-Big East, 2011 WNBA second-round pick, regular season champion during her overseas playing days. But Robinson refuses to harp on her credentials as she coaches varsity girls basketball at Tartan High School in her second season.
“I’m not one to brag about myself,” she admitted. “It’s not about me. I did what I needed to do in basketball.”
To start off this season scheduling a non-conference contest against a fellow Black female head coach was intentional, stated Robinson after her team played visiting Minneapolis North, coached by Brianna Edwards, last month.
“This was on purpose,” Robinson said. “I think it’s a great thing.”
Robinson and Edwards, another former local prep star who played at North before going on to play college ball at Providence College. The two are a small but growing number of Black female head coaches at the high school level in the Twin Cities.
“Brianna Edwards and I both have the same goal — to give back to these young ladies and bring the game back and teach it the right way,” added the Tartan girls HC. “Bri is like a little sister to me. I watched her college career and everything. I’m happy to see her giving back the way I am with the same passion.”
Robinson is a special education teacher at St. Paul Johnson High School. Edwards is a development director at the Power of People Leadership Institute.
“They need us,” concluded Robinson of herself and Edwards.
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.