Feenstra Encourages Youth to “Be Fit” in Sterling Heights

Detroit Shock center Katie Feenstra was the tallest participant on the court as 75 children of various ages and skill levels practiced their dribbling, shooting and defensive techniques.

“I felt so small standing next to her,” a young player said of Feenstra who rebounded for the shooters. “She’s just so tall!”

Aaron Smith, Detroit Shock and Pistons Director of Year-Round Hoops, led the youth in basketball skills and spoke to them about the importance of making academics their number one priority.

“Because I kept school first, was polite and worked hard when I was younger I earned Detroit Pistons and Detroit Shock championship rings and I never even scored a point for them,” Smith said to the children and their parents.

Feenstra, who is 6 feet 8 inches tall, said she was impressed by all the hard work everyone put in at the clinic.

“I’m so proud of these kids,” Feenstra said. “Some of them couldn’t even hit the rim and they would get frustrated, but they kept on trying.”

Detroit Shock “Be Fit” clinics present youth with encouragement and the necessary information to maintain a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness. Participants learn how to make changes in their lives to better their overall, health, fitness, nutrition and self-esteem.

“I was a physical education major in college so I know the importance of fitness and keeping kids active,” Feenstra said. “We have an obesity epidemic, and it is important to keep kids active, but to let them have fun while doing it so they don’t realize they are actually working out.”

Participants received a t-shirt and a workout log to help better understand what they need to do to stay in shape. Many participants had their photos taken with Feenstra and received autographs.

“Our fans are great,” Feenstra said. “They support us everywhere we go and it’s fun to say thank you by signing an autograph and taking a picture.”