Cooper Steele Robinson is an American outside hitter who plays for Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza in Italy’s SuperLega and has represented the United States at senior level since 2024. Born on August 8, 2002, in Pacific Palisades, California, the 202 cm wing spiker won consecutive NCAA championships with UCLA in 2023 and 2024 before developing into the MPSF Player of the Year and a First Team All-American in his final collegiate season.
Robinson’s first professional season took him to Hiroshima Thunders in Japan, where he scored 654 points across the 2025–26 SV.League season. Internationally, his progression has included a Best Server award at the 2024 NORCECA Final Six, a place on the U.S. roster at the 2025 World Championship and a silver medal at the 2026 Volleyball Nations League. His move to Piacenza in 2026 marked his first professional season in Europe.
Player Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cooper Steele Robinson |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 2002 |
| Born | Pacific Palisades, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| High School | Loyola High School |
| College / University | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
| Position | Outside Hitter |
| Height | 202 cm |
| Previous Teams | UCLA Bruins, Hiroshima Thunders |
| Current Club | Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza |
| Club Number | 2 |
| National Team | United States Men’s National Volleyball Team |
| National-Team Number | 6 during the 2026 VNL |
| Senior National Team Since | 2024 |
| @cooper_s_robinson |
Piacenza’s current player profile supplies Robinson’s birth information, height, club number and verified Instagram account, while USA Volleyball lists him at 6-foot-7 and identifies him as a senior national-team player since 2024. His national-team number has varied by competition: USA Volleyball’s general athlete page still displays No. 18, which he wore at the 2025 World Championship, while he wore No. 6 during the 2026 VNL.
Early Life & Volleyball Beginnings
Robinson grew up in Pacific Palisades in a family with deep ties to UCLA athletics. His parents are Bob and Leanne Robinson, and his father played water polo at UCLA. He has two sisters, Julia and Charlie; Charlie also played volleyball, including at UC Santa Barbara. Robinson later described UCLA as a school he had grown up loving, with several members of his extended family having competed for the Bruins.
He attended Loyola High School in Los Angeles, where the volleyball program reached the CIF Southern Section semifinals in 2018, 2019 and 2021. At club level, he played for Southern California Volleyball Club and was part of the SCVC team that won the 17 Open division at the 2019 Boys Junior National Championships. UCLA also documented his interests away from indoor volleyball as spending time at the beach, playing beach volleyball, eating Japanese food and being with friends and family.
Robinson joined UCLA for the 2022 season but did not appear in a match during his first year. His playing time began to grow in 2023, when he appeared in 14 matches and made two starts while the Bruins won their first NCAA championship since 2006. That season began a three-year progression from a reserve role to one of the most productive outside hitters in college volleyball.
Club Career
UCLA and Back-to-Back NCAA Championships
Robinson was part of UCLA teams that won consecutive NCAA titles in 2023 and 2024. His role was relatively limited during the first championship run, but by 2024 he had become a regular starter. He appeared in 28 matches with 25 starts, earned Second Team All-MPSF recognition and was named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American. He also finished the season among the NCAA leaders in hitting percentage and supplied a team-high 41 service aces.
The 2024 championship match against Long Beach State showed how much his role had expanded. Robinson contributed in attack, serve and block as UCLA won in four sets to secure the program’s second consecutive national title. The victory gave the Bruins their 21st NCAA men’s volleyball championship and made Robinson a two-time national champion.
His final UCLA season in 2025 was his strongest individually. Robinson started all 28 matches, led the Bruins with 365 kills and hit .388 while repeatedly carrying a large attacking workload. He recorded double-digit kills in 21 matches and reached a career-high 25 kills while hitting .537 in a five-set win over USC on Senior Night. Those performances helped make him the seventh UCLA player to win MPSF Player of the Year.
The AVCA elevated him from honorable mention in 2024 to First Team All-American in 2025. UCLA advanced to a third consecutive national championship match, where Robinson led the Bruins with 10 kills and hit .381, but Long Beach State won the title in straight sets. He left college as a two-time champion, a national runner-up, a conference Player of the Year and an established senior national-team player.
First Professional Season with Hiroshima Thunders
Robinson signed with Hiroshima Thunders for 2025–26, moving directly from the NCAA into Japan’s SV.League. Hiroshima described him as an outside hitter whose height was complemented by speed, while also highlighting his UCLA championships and growing role with the U.S. national team. He wore No. 6 for the Japanese club.
His first professional season produced a substantial statistical workload. The official SV.League database credits Robinson with 654 points in 43 matches and 153 sets, including 549 attack points, 69 blocks and 36 service aces. He converted 49.4 percent of his attacks and also took 999 serve-reception attempts, making his season a useful demonstration of his role as a six-rotation outside rather than an attack-only specialist.
There were also several matches in which Robinson carried Hiroshima’s scoring. He delivered 27 points in a five-set road upset of Osaka Bluteon in February 2026, and later finished with 26 points in a five-set match against Osaka during the closing stages of the season.
Move to Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza
Piacenza announced Robinson on July 14, 2026, signing him for the 2026–27 season after his year in Japan. The move is his first professional experience in Europe and places him in the Italian SuperLega, a competition he had followed before becoming a professional. In the club’s official signing announcement, Robinson described playing in the SuperLega as a long-held ambition and emphasized his interest in testing himself against elite players.
His arrival in Italy was delayed by a right-knee problem after the 2026 international season. Piacenza announced in September that Robinson had undergone successful surgery in Los Angeles and would complete his rehabilitation with the club. He joined the group in Piacenza at the beginning of October, although his work remained centered on a personalized recovery program rather than full match preparation.
Club Career Timeline
| Seasons | Team | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2021–2025 | UCLA Bruins | United States |
| 2025–2026 | Hiroshima Thunders | Japan |
| 2026–present | Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza | Italy |
National Team Career
Robinson’s pathway into the senior national team followed a 2023 appearance with the U.S. Men’s Collegiate National Team. He made his senior debut at the 2024 Pan American Cup, scoring 10 points in his first match against Puerto Rico with six kills and four aces. The United States eventually took silver at the tournament.
Later that summer, he returned for the NORCECA Final Six and assumed a larger two-way role. Robinson scored 23 points in the opening match against the Dominican Republic and led the U.S. in both attacking and several back-court categories during different stages of the tournament. The Americans defeated Canada in the final to win gold, and Robinson received the Best Server award.
He moved into Volleyball Nations League competition in 2025 as the U.S. began a new national-team cycle under Karch Kiraly. Robinson appeared during the opening weeks of the VNL and later made the World Championship roster. One of his strongest performances at that tournament came in pool play against Cuba, when he scored a match-high 14 points on 13 kills and a block as the United States secured first place in its pool. The U.S. ultimately reached the quarterfinals before Bulgaria came back from two sets down to eliminate the Americans in five.
Robinson remained part of the senior team in 2026 and was selected for the VNL Finals in Ningbo. The United States defeated Italy in the quarterfinals and Japan in the semifinal before losing a five-set final to Poland, earning silver. Robinson’s overall 2026 VNL line was 25 points from 19 attacks, two blocks and four aces across his appearances.
After the VNL, he played at the Hubert Wagner Memorial in Poland. The United States finished third, and Robinson was named the tournament’s Best Outside Hitter, adding another individual international award before the knee issue that subsequently required surgery.
Playing Style & Strengths
Robinson is a large six-rotation outside hitter whose profile is built around a combination of front-row scoring, serving and enough ball control to remain involved in reception. At 202 cm, he has the size to attack from a high contact point and contribute physically at the block without needing to be hidden from first-contact responsibilities. His progression at UCLA was especially notable because his efficiency remained strong even as his attacking volume increased.
His 2025–26 season in Japan provides the clearest statistical picture of that balance. Robinson attempted 1,112 attacks and converted 549 of them for points at a 49.4 percent success rate. The SV.League also recorded 110 points from 197 back-row attacks, indicating that Hiroshima regularly used him behind the three-meter line rather than limiting him to front-row rotations. He added 69 blocking points and 36 aces.
The reception volume is equally important when evaluating his role. Robinson handled 999 receptions during his first professional season. That workload, combined with his attack numbers, is consistent with a genuine all-phase outside hitter rather than a player used primarily to finish offensive possessions. The precise reception-success figure should be interpreted within the SV.League’s own statistical definition, but the volume itself shows how consistently he was involved in serve receive.
Serving has already produced individual recognition at international level. Robinson won Best Server at the 2024 NORCECA Final Six, and his 2025 UCLA season followed a collegiate career in which aggressive serving was a regular source of direct points and pressure. His size also gives him useful blocking range; during his final college season, his ability to contribute at the net complemented an attacking role that made him UCLA’s primary kill leader.
Major Achievements
Selected National Team Honors
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | NORCECA Pan American Cup | Silver |
| 2024 | NORCECA Pan American Cup Final Six | Gold |
| 2026 | Volleyball Nations League | Silver |
| 2026 | Hubert Wagner Memorial | Bronze |
Selected Club & College Honors
| Year / Season | Team | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UCLA Bruins | NCAA Championship | Champion |
| 2023 | UCLA Bruins | MPSF Championship | Champion |
| 2024 | UCLA Bruins | NCAA Championship | Champion |
| 2025 | UCLA Bruins | NCAA Championship | Runner-up |
Selected Individual Awards
| Year | Competition / Organization | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | AVCA | Honorable Mention All-American |
| 2024 | MPSF | Second Team All-MPSF |
| 2024 | NORCECA Pan American Cup Final Six | Best Server |
| 2025 | MPSF | Player of the Year |
| 2025 | MPSF | First Team All-MPSF |
| 2025 | AVCA | First Team All-American |
| 2026 | Hubert Wagner Memorial | Best Outside Hitter |
Personal Life & Interests
Robinson comes from a family with multiple connections to collegiate sports. His father, Bob, played water polo at UCLA, while his sister Charlie played volleyball at UC Santa Barbara. His UCLA biography also lists a second sister, Julia. Robinson has described UCLA as a school that was familiar long before his own college career, with multiple relatives having competed there.
Away from organized indoor volleyball, his listed interests include beach volleyball, spending time at the beach with friends, Japanese food and time with family. Those interests predated his eventual professional move to Japan, where his first season after UCLA placed him in a markedly different volleyball and cultural environment.
Where Is Cooper Robinson Playing Now?
Robinson is under contract with Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza for the 2026–27 season and is listed by both Piacenza and Volleyball World as the club’s No. 2 outside hitter. The move followed one season with Hiroshima Thunders and represents his first professional campaign in Europe.
His immediate status is being shaped by rehabilitation rather than competition. Piacenza announced on September 18 that Robinson had undergone successful surgery on his right knee in Los Angeles after the problem developed following his summer with the U.S. national team. When he arrived in Piacenza at the beginning of October, the club placed him on an individualized recovery program with its medical and physiotherapy staff.
At his official presentation on October 5, Piacenza said Robinson was continuing that rehabilitation and gradually being integrated into the group. The club had not announced a firm return-to-play date in its latest Robinson-specific medical and presentation updates. His current status is therefore that of an active Piacenza player recovering toward his SuperLega debut rather than a player who has already begun the season at full availability.
Recent Performance Snapshot
Robinson’s 2025–26 SV.League season with Hiroshima was his first full professional campaign and remains the strongest complete statistical sample of his senior club game.
| 2025–26 SV.League | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches | 43 |
| Sets | 153 |
| Total Points | 654 |
| Attack Points | 549 |
| Attack Success | 49.4% |
| Back-Row Attack Points | 110 |
| Block Points | 69 |
| Service Aces | 36 |
| Reception Attempts | 999 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Cooper Robinson?
Cooper Robinson was born on August 8, 2002. He turned 24 in August 2026.
How tall is Cooper Robinson?
Robinson is 202 cm tall, approximately 6-foot-7. That figure is used by his current club, Volleyball World and the Japanese SV.League.
What position does Cooper Robinson play?
He is an outside hitter. His role includes front- and back-row attacking, serve reception, blocking and serving.
Which club does Cooper Robinson play for?
Robinson plays for Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza in Italy’s SuperLega. He joined the club for the 2026–27 season after spending 2025–26 with Hiroshima Thunders in Japan.
What number does Cooper Robinson wear?
Robinson wears No. 2 for Piacenza. Internationally, he wore No. 6 during the 2026 Volleyball Nations League, while USA Volleyball’s general athlete profile still displays No. 18 from an earlier national-team context.
Did Cooper Robinson win an NCAA championship?
Yes. Robinson was part of UCLA’s back-to-back NCAA championship teams in 2023 and 2024. The Bruins returned to the final in 2025 but finished runner-up to Long Beach State.
Is Cooper Robinson injured?
Robinson underwent surgery on his right knee in September 2026 after the issue developed following his international season. Piacenza’s latest Robinson-specific updates in early October said he was continuing an individualized rehabilitation program; the club had not announced a firm match-return date.
References
- USA Volleyball — Cooper Robinson athlete profile
- Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza — Cooper Robinson official player profile
- Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza — Cooper Robinson signing announcement
- Gas Sales Bluenergy Volley Piacenza — Cooper Robinson knee surgery update
- Japan SV.League — Cooper Robinson 2025–26 player statistics
- UCLA Athletics — Cooper Robinson player profile and collegiate career
- UCLA Athletics — Cooper Robinson named 2025 AVCA First Team All-American
- MPSF — Cooper Robinson named 2025 MPSF Player of the Year
- USA Volleyball — United States wins 2024 NORCECA Final Six and Cooper Robinson earns Best Server
- USA Volleyball — United States earns silver at the 2026 Volleyball Nations League Final
- Volleyball World — USA defeats Cuba at the 2025 World Championship
- FIVB — 2026 Hubert Wagner Memorial results and individual awards
