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Seattle Storm’s Katie Smith inspires kids at The Salvation Army.
Katie Smith, Olympic gold medalist and professional basketball player with the Seattle Storm, visited The Salvation Army Seattle White Center Corps this summer to speak to more than 40 youth from the summer day camp program, and sign autographs.
Smith played on the gold-medal winning USA women’s basketball team at the Beijing Olympics four years ago, and is the all-time leading scorer in women’s professional basketball with a total (to date) of 7,580 points scored.
Smith encouraged the kids to pursue many interests, not just what they’re good at, recalling her own 4H participation and the fact that she was her high school’s valedictorian.
“School and learning open up all the doors,” she said. “Never stop learning.”
When the kids asked how hard basketball practice is, Smith replied, “It’s hard. It’s intense. You want to win and you’re trying to figure it out. That’s what practice is.”
Sean Connors, White Center sports director, organized the visit. Captains Raymond and Jennifer Erickson-King are the White Center corps officers.
With information from the West Seattle Herald
