Bobbitt brings her hoop skills to the community

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At 5-foot-2, Harlem native Shannon Bobbitt was an unlikely basketball star, but she loved the game and believed in herself. She attended Murry Bergtraum High School, winning two PSAL titles. From there, she went to Trinity Valley Community College, winning a NJCAA Championship and being named WBCA Junior College Player of the Year. She finished her college career playing for the legendary Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee, winning NCAA Division I titles in 2007 and ’08.

These days, Bobbitt is back where it all began. She’s readying for her 10th annual basketball clinic that she holds in her neighborhood every summer at the Martin Luther King Jr. Playground.

Following her professional career in the WNBA and overseas, Bobbitt began working as a player development coach with kids of all ages and levels. “I help build confidence and leadership and growth within their games,” she said. “I go to a lot of kids’ basketball games to critique them and evaluate them. I share my knowledge and my skill set with these kids.”

Bobbitt has shared her basketball and life journey in an autobiography, “Bobbitt 5’2 Giant.” She wanted to make sure that her story and the way she overcame the odds can be someone else’s survival guide. “You can always strengthen your weaknesses,” she said. “Pat Summitt talked about preparation, discipline and always planning ahead.”

For now, she loves working with different high schools and colleges, engaging with different players and talent levels. Bobbitt is also in the NBA assistant coaches program.

“In the next year or so, I will eventually go and work with either a college, the G League (NBA) or take my chances with the NBA in player development,” said Bobbitt. “I’m fine with wherever I’m supposed to be.”

Wherever basketball takes her, Bobbitt’s heart will always be in Harlem. “I love giving back to my people, especially the youth,” she said. “When I do player development, I love all ages and all levels. I love to empower the next generation to learn necessary skills to enhance their growth in a positive way.”

This week marked the 25th MLK Day, and basketball paid homage to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Women’s and men’s teams in the Big East Conference wore shirts in pregame warmup that read, “We Cannot Walk Alone.” The words come from King’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech. NBA teams wore similar shirts to celebrate King’s life and legacy.