photo: espn.com
ESPN has celebrated Women’s History Month by sharing empowering and inspirational stories of young female athletes which will culminate tonight with a one-hour special, Her Story.
In the midst of March Madness tonight, take a pause for the cause and flip over to ESPN at 8PM, EST. Or better yet, Tivo or record the piece to learn about a young lady with a fascinating story who is already being compared to the inimitable Pete Maravich, aka, The Pistol.
Her name is Shoni Schimmel, a Native American teenager in Oregon who is among the nation’s top high school ballers. The cultural bias and personal challenges that she has, and will continue, to navigate during her hoops dream is far beyond the mental grasp of most.
I just returned from a reconnaissance mission for Bounce Magazine, researching the passion that exists in the Native American community for our beloved game. And trust me when I tell you that the ladies get equal, if not higher, accolades between the lines from a multi-generational well of talent, love and fervor.
So if you don’t know, now you know. Shoni’s the real deal and I suggest you hop on board the love train as it leaves the station. This young lady has a chance to be in some rarefied company down the road, serving as an inspiration for all who witness the remarkable skills and incredible journey.
for more on Shoni, peep last year’s Glenn Nelson piece from Scouts Inc – http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/basketball/womens/columns/story?columnist=nelson_glenn&id=3287458
March 27th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Casey Lee says:
Wow! Simply amazing…handles, long range 3pt shooter, and PG skills….she’s the whole deal! I would love to see her play against some of the best in college right now!
March 27th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
ali says:
she’s got IT!
March 27th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
ali says:
and the freeze, behind the back dribble and pull up from 30 feet? wowsa!
March 27th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
nelson says:
thanks ali for helping me out with all this native hoops stuff. i hope you enjoyed the hospitality and hopefully bob can make you the new native hoops correspondent for BOUNCE and i can fly you out to all the reservations for the true experience. LOL.
but shoni is legit, and for all out there, check out her younger sister, jude. she is a freshman on the team averaging 18 pts or so.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
dope! in seattle right now, hoping to catch the end of the show. nelson, please let us know if it re-airs!
March 27th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
scratch that, just caught it . . . wow. a bit of a tearjerker, loved the emotion of it all, and homegirl definitely got a nice handle! nelson, bring her to new york!
March 27th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
nelson says:
thanks bob. hopefully jon and i can finish this up and put out a great film next year. but yeah, i think she might be coming to NYC for a few tourneys over the summer to play with exodus and if not, well i’m hoping she can come out to play at some point.
March 28th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Dan the Man says:
Ali, you’re right ! She is the real deal ! I’m hoppin’ on the O’Jay’s love train right now. The next stop we make will be Oregon…
March 29th, 2009 at 12:29 am
illest says:
just from watching that there hasnt been a girl in the last 20 years with game like that. the fluidity, the strength to shoot from deep, the quick jumps, the passes…..she is the top player period. there arent 11 better in the country than her. are we sure thats a girl? just playing.
there is no one in college or that terrible womens pro league that is better than her. she can change the game. someone needs to market her correctly.
March 29th, 2009 at 12:41 am
illest says:
new york repped very well saturday. i enjoyed kemba living up to dat ez pass name. fisher was mad clutch with the free throws and he was going to the rack too. of course levance repped. price did his thing as well. WHY CANT THE JOHNNIES GET THESE GUYS?!!!
March 29th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
ali says:
yo nelson,
i would love to hit all the resaervations and peep the true essence. that oklahoma trip was mad powerful. and make sure shoni comes to ball in NY this summer.
and illest,
you’re right, there cannot be 10 high school players that are better than her. i don’t think there’s 10 college guards that are better. and why do you think the wnba is terrible, though? and NY repped to the fullest this weekend, with the EZ Pass leading the brigade. i’ve been waiting for his breakout game and there we have it. once he can consistently bang the 20-footer, it’s a wrap!!! money is stupid nice breakin’ down the D, gettin to the tin and converting.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:14 am
illest says:
kemba was very controlled, efficient and he finished like a NY guard should.
the WNBA is terrible because its the WNBA. now if Schimmel plays I would watch her.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:54 am
ali says:
i have to disagree with you illest about the wnba being terrible. they play some excellent ball.
March 30th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
illest says:
ali….come on. there are plenty of womens player over the years ive enjoyed watching. the staleys, the millers, the holdsclaws, the swoopes in the ncaas….but the wnba is unwatchable basketball. id rather watch uconns women then the new york liberty.
March 30th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
ali says:
i hear you, i’d rather watch uconn women as well. but terrible? unwatchable? you goin’ stephen a. on me with the hyperbole.
March 30th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
illest says:
please ali please. dont mention him with me. ill change it to not as good.
March 30th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
ali says:
there you go. too me it’s not as exciting as the women’s college game. but shoni would be worth the price of admission in the wnba if her game elevates with each step up in competition.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Observer says:
why is it that Ms. Shimmel has played at three different high schools in three years. will this interfere with the recruiting process? there are many talented players out there today and granted, she is one of the top ones, but is there more there that a no look pass or a three pointer?
March 31st, 2009 at 12:03 am
illest says:
observer…you didnt observe the whole clip. she went to the basket strong. made fundamentals passes as well. got the tip off the rebound. where have you seen any female at that age or older playing like that?
March 31st, 2009 at 9:41 am
ali says:
her understanding of the rhythms of the game are uncanny, Observer. there’s a reason why she can choose any program in the country and even pat summitt will be poppin’ champagne if shoni accepts a scholarship offer. there’s much more to her game than a no-look or deep 3. she’s a winner!
March 31st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Observer says:
okay. i understand president and vice president of the shoni fan club. do some investigating a little deeper than the espn piece. there was trouble at her first two high schools, i.e. underage drinking, problems with teammates and inappropriate activity with boys while on a road trip. i too think she is probably the best i’ve ever seen, but one factor that interferes with a young atheletes ability to follow a dream is the inability to make the right choices. there are thousands of outstanding young female atheletes out there. the ones that are making it are the ones that have structure, guidance and desire. will pat summit tolerate breaking team rules? now to my initial question: why three schools in three years? think about it.
March 31st, 2009 at 4:18 pm
ali says:
okay observer. first and foremost, i hold no official office in the shoni fan club. i do know that young people are prone to make some very dumb, ill advised choices. i attented one of the most elite, prestigious secondary schools in the country and 80% or more of the student body engaged in underage drinking and drug use, had problems with peers and ventured into inappropriate actvities with members of the opposite sex. today, those folks are high profile politicians, respected lawyers, physicians, captains of commerce, mothers, fathers, artists, writers, college professors, etc.
i do not know the specifics of her stay at hermiston, pendleton and franklin. however, it seems to me that you are making some very quick and ill-advised judgements. 3 schools in 3 years? hmmmm, there could be any number of explanations. what i do know is that her talent is transcendent. i also know that she deserves the benefit of the doubt, as most teenagers do. put your cards on the table observer and say what’s really on your mind.
young people in their formative years step outside the lines at times and hopefully learn from their mistakes. because she can play ball, does that not entitle her to make her fair share?
and are her mistakes more egregious than folks in her peer group, who may belong to the drama club as opposed to being a high ranking college basketball recruit?
March 31st, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Observer says:
ali, point taken. i too am familiar with the patterns young people follow and for most that is all they are, patterns. they work through them, learn and excel. i by no means attempted to make this a platform for some underlying message. the hand that i am holding is one of a former highly touted young athlete whose talent clouded the real issues. test scores were changed, exceptions were made and i, i say “i” took full advantage. i should not assume that all will make the same mistakes that i did. thank you for your honesty. you present in a way that is direct, understanding and informative. observer rests.
April 1st, 2009 at 8:46 am
illest says:
dont be so sensitive, observer. im only looking at the clip not her off the court exploits. ali explained it well enough.
April 1st, 2009 at 2:19 pm
ali says:
no problem observer. thanks for your input. an intelligent discussion is always a good thing. keep checking back to the site and providing your input on some of our discussions as they relate to sport in society. regards.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Observer says:
ali, are you the gatekeeper to this blog? what is your title? just curious.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:14 pm
ali says:
i’m the associate editor of bounce magazine
April 1st, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Micah says:
I have seen shoni play last year in person. She is hands down the best female I have ever seen. She is the REAL DEAL JUST AS OTHERS HAVE POSTED!!!!.She has moves that most boys & grown men cant pull off. People will soon find out when she hits the Tv screens.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Nelson says:
observer, stop the hate. you go on sites to hate on this gal and her family. there are reasons for her transfers and or issues off the court are that is for her and her family to deal with. schools will never be put off by talented players unless there are major crimes or issues. college basketball is a dirty game anyways and there is nothing just or right about the business of basketball. there are many issues with players, coaches, runners, etc… just because your family moves or you have issues with a coach doesnt mean it should be held against a player.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:27 am
Jacob George says:
She is A
May 9th, 2009 at 11:52 am
GirlsBballGuru says:
I saw Shoni in Las Vegas this past April. She was amazing. Actually her whole team was. They are called the Oregon Reign. Checkout there website: http://www.orbasketball.com
January 8th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
jesica says:
shoni is freken amazing!!! shes so legit at basketball! shes an inspirtation to many peope! i think that coming out of the rez should inspire other native americans to come and show their game to evry one like shoni because i know theres many more girls or guys from the reservation that have an amazing talent but dont come out like shoni did but any way im glad shoni and jude did there frkn amazing!
January 8th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
jesica says:
shoni is freken amazing!!! shes so legit at basketball! shes an inspirtation to many peope! i think that coming out of the rez should inspire other native americans to come and show their game to evry one like shoni because i know theres many more girls or guys from the reservation that have an amazing talent but dont come out like shoni did but any way im glad shoni and jude did there frkn amazing!