As a baby growing up in the South Jamaica Houses – also often known as the infamous “40 Projects” in Queens, New York, Michelle Reed didn’t know anyone from her hometown who would change into knowledgeable basketball player. However, that did not stop Reed from fulfilling her dream of doing just that and earning a coveted spot on the Los Angeles Sparks while also becoming the first woman from her area to make it to the WNBA. After receiving a full athletic scholarship to play at Western Kentucky University (WKU), Reed went on to compete with the Sparks and played skilled basketball overseas in Croatia and Finland. While at WKU, Reed earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and business management. Throughout her college profession, the talented defender received quite a few Player of the Week honors and competed in the iconic Sweet 16 tournament.

Reed, now retired from the WNBA, stays an inspiration to basketball fans and beyond. She is a strong motivational speaker and memoirist and starts his own non-profit organization called Dream in Vertical Network. With the ESSENCE staff currently fascinated by all things WNBA (in addition to perennial champions – pun intended – of Black women charting their very own course, we caught up with Reed for an enlightening conversation. Read on to learn about her critical take on criticism) faced by newcomers Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, the controversial ones US Olympic Team decisions, the importance of economic literacy and the value of giving back. Reed, a former “tomboy” turned history maker, also reflects on her skilled basketball profession and the lessons she has learned – and continues to learn – along her impressive journey.

ESSENCE.com: How is the WNBA different now than whenever you were in the league? And in what respect is it the same?

MICHELLE REED: Now it’s more visible than before. Whether it’s positive or negative, persons are talking about W. People are beginning to get engaged; It is exciting! It took 28 years. There is rather a lot more brand marketing around W nowadays. What’s the same about it? Well, there are still 144 players. But the plan is so as to add a team to Toronto, so that can change soon too.

ESSENCE.com: What do you think that about one among the most talked about players in the league? Angel Reese? Do you think that that as a debutant she is criticized too harshly?

CANE: I feel with money and fame comes criticism, there isn’t any way around it. He is a brand new face in the game. And someone must be the catalyst. When it involves branding, sometimes noise is what sells. You have to take a look at it from a branding perspective. There are also individuals who just want to realize followers and attention [social media] sites that simply cause controversy and make it seem greater than it already is. I commend Angel Reese for answering questions professionally and telling the truth.

ESSENCE.com: What about Caitlin Clark?

CANE: [Michael] Jordan went through it [Larry] Byrd went through it, all the greats went through something. It’s just their time. Fortunately, this doesn’t take away from their talent. But mentally it may be exhausting. It’s exhausting for the viewer to listen to a few of the things which might be said about them. Caitlin Clark is an incredible player. She has a protracted road and a protracted profession ahead of her. Many people look as much as her, Reese and all the women of W. I hope this does not end. I hope the adrenaline from all of this continues for a few years to come back since it brings attention to the league and sits its butts off.

ESSENCE.com: It actually did, and the hype prolonged to varsity. A viral announcement is circulating on the Internet regarding the University of Southern California (USC) game (vs. University of Connecticut) in December – in six whole months! It featured their star and rising sophomore, JuJu Watkins.

CANE: It’s the latest normal, however it’s also money. JuJu is one among the key marketing players of this yr’s college basketball season. That’s why many teams that were in the top rankings need to compete with USC due to her. You’re talking about TV time, you are talking about money for schools and money for players.

This is the a part of the college game that scares me because I don’t need people to get to the point where they play teams for financial gain and forget about the maturity and mental health of the players. This puts pressure on the game. This puts pressure on performance. After all, they’re still there to get an education.

ESSENCE.com: The Summer Olympics are approaching and there was plenty of criticism surrounding the collection of the women’s basketball team. Thinks?

CANE: I feel they did an incredible job picking the team. I do know there’s plenty of controversy about Caitlin Clark not making the Olympic team, but like everyone else she has to earn her stripes. You cannot do that simply because you are an enormous name and have an achieved college profession. I feel it is a fair alternative. Are there any items missing? Absolutely. There are many players who might have been chosen. I might like to see DeWanna Bonner on the roster because she has been an incredible player throughout her profession and she doesn’t get the recognition I feel she deserves. But I feel [the selected players] we’ll represent our country in a improbable and elegant way. Bring home the gold, USA!

ESSENCE.com: Excellent points. In addition to playing in the WNBA, you have got had a successful basketball profession overseas. Was there anything similar?

CANE: [Laughs.] For me it was all the pieces, especially my stay in Croatia. I used to be mostly in a rustic where English was not a second language. I only had two people to speak with in training and matches, one was an assistant coach and the other was a teammate. I needed to learn trivia about essential terms in the language, similar to , so as to communicate a minimum of just a little with others because I did not have a translator.

ESSENCE.com: Wow! What things did you learn from playing in the WNBA that you simply use in your life today?

CANE: You must keep your spine strong. It only takes one conversation for somebody to interrupt your spirit or construct it up. It’s like someone telling me, “Oh, your jump shot is weak and you’ll never be a good shooter.” I can let this occur, or it may make me work harder, or it may break me down and make me need to quit. The idea is to be strong enough to disregard the noise and push through. I’m the sort of person in case you tell me I can not do something, I’ll show you that I can.

But many individuals will not be built that way. Some people will take words to heart and start looking down on themselves and disparaging their true abilities, when in actual fact they’re very talented, but they’ve someone of their ear who desires to see them fail. Ultimately, what we imagine is true. I do not care how hard you’re employed, how good you might be, or how much you should grow, it’s about your confidence and commitment to change into the best version of yourself.

ESSENCE.com: You’re a private finance junkie. What do you think that about Angel Reese investing in the Washington women’s soccer team, Power FC and athletes providing multiple streams of income?

CANE: Once you have got a chance to take a position, do your homework and if it aligns together with your goals, take it. She looks like a sensible young lady who is sweet together with her money. It’s good to have good people in your ear to offer you business advice. This is something I wish I had once I played. What I do know about money now’s that I sat down and got here to the conclusion that I’m ignorant in lots of areas and I spend money on careless things which might be more of a liability than an asset.

Financial literacy needs to be an ongoing conversation at home and in schools. I’m surprised this is not a part of the core curriculum. If we do not do our homework, we’ll all the time be behind the eight ball.

ESSENCE.com: Can you share any suggestions for aspiring WNBA players?

CANE: 1) Don’t stop learning. Stretch. Read the book. If you have got a mentor or someone you admire, discover what they read. 2) Be an advocate on your community. Use your gifts for good. There should all the time be an act of giving, from giving time to giving information. Stay in the spirit of giving because your blessings will flow tenfold, especially in case you give from a very good place. 3) Don’t surrender. No matter how difficult life gets. There will likely be great days and there will likely be terrible days. Keep fighting it. Remember that each lesson is a blessing and you may learn something from it.

Things don’t occur simply because you are unlucky. Things occur because you may learn something about yourself from them, whether or not they are lessons in relationships, whether or not they are lessons from the information you feed yourself, or whether or not they are lessons about your profession decisions. To change into knowledgeable basketball player, you need to first commit to what it takes to change into what it takes to be knowledgeable basketball player, and then [work on] player. The person develops before the player.