Regina Robles invited to tryouts for the WNBA Houston Comets

By Dean Greenaway

West Georgia graduate Regina Robles has been invited to tryouts for the WNBA Houston Comets from January 17 to February 4. Robles spent her Christmas vacation here and conducted a basketball camp at the Bell Vue Gym for 12 young girls.

Robles' pathway to the Comets tryouts began last July, when one of the team scouts who knew her from her college days, visited the BVI and put her through a series of vigorous workouts to prepare for the camp. Since then, Robles has been conditioning herself accordingly but admits to a bit of doubt as the time drew nearer.

"I get a little weary and I always have the fear of 'what if I'm not good enough?' but, if I always put my best foot forward during the camp, that is what it will do and all that I can give," she said. "I know I will be one of the top five picked."

She will go through the team camp for nine days, followed by two days of one on one drills for three hours each day working on ability and stamina. "After that there'll be the contract signing followed by a month of free agency where other teams are there to see you after the camp and they can offer you a contract."

Robles says while her commitment camp is with the Houston Comets she will weigh her options for the month that she'll be a free agent. "Since other teams can pursue me, it will be whoever gives the best contract."

Terry Chinnery has been chosen as her manager and her mother Dr. Sylvia Simmons is her agent. Robles says she has selected those who will have her best interest at heart and will not undermine or back stab her. "I want to make sure that the contract and everything that I do helps me grow as well as help the team, that's why I have them as the backbone," she explained.

"I have a teammate who went overseas to play and her agent did some things to her. I hear a lot of different things and even though my mom is not a real 'agent' I know she can sell me really well. Anything that comes through her is going to come through Chinnery and I before we take it back to the table so, it will be alright."

Robles is taking the semester off from Emory Law School to purse her dream of playing basketball professionally.