Gema Robles tormented the opposition with her quickness and defensive prowess and graduated as not only the PSAC women’s basketball career steals leader, but as one of the top all-around players in school history.
After serving as a key reserve for two seasons, Robles burst onto the PSAC scene in 2001-02. She boosted her scoring by nearly eight points per game to lead the Marauders in scoring at 14.2 points per game. She also led the team in assists with 163 assists (5.3 per game) and paced the PSAC with 120 steals. At the time, her steals total ranked third in PSAC history. Robles received All-PSAC East First Team honors and Daktronics All-East Region Second Team mention. The Marauders posted a 22-9 record, played in the PSAC Championship game and reached the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Her senior season was even better. Robles shattered fellow Marauder Safiyyah Bashir’s PSAC record for steals in a season with 171—40 more than Bashir’s mark. She also led the team in scoring for second year in a row, led the PSAC in assists with 176, and despite standing just 5-5, she pulled down a team-best 7.2 rebounds per game. The coaches in the PSAC East voted her the PSAC East Player of the Year.
Robles finished her career with 420 steals, which again broke one of Bashir’s PSAC record. Robles’ record stood until 2010 when it was edged by just four steals. Her 475 assists ranks second in Millersville history and 19th in the PSAC record books. Robles scored 811 of her 1,132 points during her junior and senior seasons.
Robles’ playing career wasn’t complete after graduation. She was selected to the Puerto Rico National Team and was also named to the All-Army National Team. In 2010, she was selected to Millersville’s All-75th Season Team.
While she starred on the hardwood, Robles also served in the Millersville ROTC program. She was commissioned into the United States Army after graduating with a degree in business. She is now a captain in the U.S. Army and a Black Hawk helicopter instructor pilot.
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