Inspired by Dad

That is why tonight, when the Storm plays host to the defending WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury, the franchise will be celebrating Dads and Daughters Night at KeyArena. There will be special concourse activities, on-court contests, music and more -- including many celebrity dads and their daughters.

Kenneth Robinson will be among the featured fathers in attendance -- and at 6-foot-8, he won't be hard to spot. He most likely won’t be partaking in any of the activities, but he will be cheering on his daughter Ashley and her Storm teammates.

"I never beat him at H-O-R-S-E. He had a great over-the-head shot." Aaron Last/Storm Photos

"Saturday was good," Robinson said. "Tonight was even better."

“He came to the game when we were down in San Antonio," Ashley said. “That was the last time I saw him in person.”

With most of the WNBA players competing overseas during the off-season, spending quality time with family is often not an option.

“He calls me once a day,” Ashley said. “He is my best friend.”

Ashley said her father came to all of her basketball games in grade schools and tried to make to as many college games as he could when she played for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

Ashley said her father, a former player himself, supported her decision to play basketball, starting early through the YMCA.

"It was the right idea," Robinson said. "(Ashley) was born to play. She learned from watching us play."

“I have a strong mother. I would of have still played (basketball), she would have gotten me involved," Ashley said. "But it definitely helped with my dad showing support. And with him being tall, it just helped me be abnormally tall as a kid.”

“I never beat him at H-O-R-S-E," she said. "He had a great over-the-head shot.”

She said her dad gave her the confidence she carries today.

“He was always smiling and never let anything get him down,” she said.