Katie Smith the S.T.A.R. of the Clinic

HUNTINGTON WOODS, Michigan - The WNBA and Discover Financial Services together to launched a series of basketball youth clinics to be conducted in WNBA markets through Dec. 2007. The Detroit Shock held its clinic on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007 at Huntington Woods Recreation Center where 106 students adorned in WNBA Cares t-shirts, ages eight through 13, participated in the Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA program designed to teach youth the fundamentals of basketball while stressing the values of the game, sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication and healthy living.

Shock guard Katie Smith headlined the clinic, encouraging students and helping them with their form as they participated in various basketball drills.

“I am happy to be back in Detroit and here today to participate in this clinic,” said Smith six-time WNBA All-Star.

The students were happy to have her visit their center and could be heard chanting, “Basketball is Everything!”. The clinic was led be Jr. NBA /Jr. WNBA clinician Frank Lopez. Lopez led the students in drills and games of knockout all while conveying the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, attitude and respect (S.T.A.R.).

The students left the clinic with a Smith autographed certificate, a Shock bag filled with goodies from Discover and a new outlook on basketball. Smith left the students with a parting message, “Your attitude dictates everything.”