Michael Joiner, an assistant coach for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, is giving back to the girls of the Fayetteville basketball community in the simplest, yet most effective, way possible.
With his time and empowering words.
“It was a great event, and I had the privilege to talk to many middle and high school athletes from across the city,” Joiner said.
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Wednesday, Feb. 5, was National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and the former Seventy-First and Florida State alum was asked to speak to the girls’ basketball community because of his ties as an assistant coach in the WNBA. Joiner said he was humbled for just being asked by the Dicks House of Sports marketing team.
“It was a humbling experience. Even though I work in the WNBA, I’m a male, and the fact that they thought about me to speak and empower the girls was very humbling for me,” he said about the opportunity.
Although Joiner was the former star player in the room, and maybe even the most notable, he still acknowledged the girls’ athletes and began his speaking session by letting them know that this event was about them.
“The first thing I told them was to stand up and give themselves a round of applause because this event is all about them, and they should be celebrated,” Joiner said.
The former Seventy-First star made sure to cater to the room and speak on empowerment and teaching the young women about being unapologetically themselves when it comes to succeeding in everyday life.
“I let all the girls know that they can dream big. That’s always the first goal, along with working hard. And to be fearless,” Joiner said about the tips he gave. “I gave them a lot of tips that they can use to be successful in everyday life, not just on the basketball court.
“When I prepared my talking points, my biggest goal was to continue to empower the girls and show love. My speech to them was mainly not to ask for permission to be great. Never ask for permission to chase your dreams or be a leader, because greatness waits for no one.”
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Phoenix Mercury assistant Micheal Joiner spoke at Dicks House of Sport
