HANGING OUT WITH HANNAH — For the past four years or so, amateur athlete Hannah Young has been training and acquiring some pivotal life lessons from former WNBA player Bridget Pettis, who is currently an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings. For Young, who resides in Arizona but is visiting relatives in the Dallas/Fort Worth-area until mid-July, that she’s been afforded the golden opportunity to broaden her athletic mechanics at the disposal of a notable former pro is starting to benefit her mightily.
DALLAS — Hannah Young is pretty young, 11 years young to be exact.
But not too young to make some relatively cool connections with a household name in women’s professional basketball.
For the past four years or so, Hannah has been training and acquiring some pivotal life lessons and on-the-court pointers from former WNBA player Bridget Pettis, who is currently an assistant coach for the Dallas Wings.
For Young, who resides in Arizona but is visiting relatives in the Dallas/Fort Worth-area until mid-July, that she’s been afforded the golden opportunity to broaden her athletic mechanics at the disposal of a notable former pro is starting to benefit her mightily.
A former University of Florida standout, Pettis spent eight seasons in the WNBA during the 1990s and 2000s, first for the Phoenix Mercury, then Indiana Fever. Having appeared in 228 games while making 71 starts, Pettis scored 1,408 career points before calling it a career. Hired as an assistant coach in March 2014 by the Tulsa Shock, Pettis retained her position after the team relocated to Dallas two seasons ago.
A former University of Florida standout, Pettis spent eight seasons in the WNBA during the 1990s and 2000s, first for the Phoenix Mercury, then Indiana Fever.
Having appeared in 228 games while making 71 starts, Pettis scored 1,408 career points before calling it a career.
Hired as an assistant coach in March 2014 by the Tulsa Shock, Pettis retained her position after the team relocated to Dallas two seasons ago.
GOSH, SHE’S TALL — Add to the fact that this speedy, multi-sport athlete is 5-foot-7 and still has much growing to do, and it’s no wonder the sky’s the limit for a youth athlete whom, even as a preteen, is seemingly holding herself to a high standard, particularly as it pertains to long-term ambitions.
Even before the franchise had headed South from Oklahoma to Texas, Hannah was — for a lack of better words — getting the hookup, courtesy of a true pro, a trend that has given way to some sustained success for an amateur athlete who boasts lofty aspirations of appearing on a WNBA stage someday.
“Hannah’s work ethic is what stands out to me,” Hannah’ grandmother Aretha Young told Making Headline News this week. If she is unsure of what to do, she will go to the park and practice on her free time. That’s commitment.”
Such a commitment to athletic excellence has been monitored closely by Pettis, something that figures to aid Hannah as she prepares to make her AAU basketball debut this fall.
SIGN OF THINGS TO COME — All things considered, if this young athlete – whose athletic IQ appears to be higher than that of an 11-year-old — continues to demonstrate the competitive drive that has caught the attention of a former pro basketball, chances are a slew of college will wound up vying for her services.
Add to the fact that this speedy, multi-sport athlete is 5-foot-7, is pretty efficient as a newcomer to the volleyball circuit, and still has much more growing to do, and it’s no wonder the sky’s the limit for a youth athlete whom, even as a preteen, is seemingly holding herself to some pretty high standards, particularly as it pertains to long-term ambitions.
“I plan to continue working hard,” Hannah said. “I want to get a college scholarship. I would like to attend University of Hawaii.”
All things considered, if this young athlete – whose athletic IQ appears to be higher than that of an 11-year-old — continues to demonstrate the competitive drive that has caught the attention of a former pro basketball player, chances are a slew of colleges will wound up vying for her services by the time her prep career culminates.
IN HANNAH’S OWN WORDS— “Working with Coach Pettis is an amazing experience,” said Hannah, who has become a fixture at WNBA games. “Coach P makes getting better on the court fun. Our lessons were not just about what to do on the court, but also about what to do in the classroom. Books first, basketball second.”
Just as they did for her biggest mentor, who also happens to be her grandest Yoga partner.
“Working with Coach Pettis is an amazing experience,” said Hannah, who has become a fixture at WNBA games. “Coach P makes getting better on the court fun. Our lessons were not just about what to do on the court, but also about what to do in the classroom. Books first, basketball second.”
By and large, the camaraderie Hannah has established with Pettis figures to impact her young life for years to come, especially since she’s already playing with and competing against individuals a few years older than her.
Given her solid work ethic, coupled with the immense strides she’s made in recent years, Hannah doesn’t seem fazed by such a challenge.
MAD SKILLZ — By and large, the camaraderie Hannah has established with Pettis figures to impact her young life for years to come, especially since she’s already playing with and competing against individuals older than her. Given her solid work ethic, coupled with the immense strides she’s made in recent years, Hannah doesn’t seem fazed by such a challenge.
If nothing else, she fully welcomes them.
“This summer, I plan to attend training camps, train harder, and focus on getting better,” said Hannah, who plays for several teams in Arizona, most notably a team sanctioned by Give N Go Hoops (http://www.givengohoops.com) and the City Of Surprise Basketball And Volleyball Leagues (https://www.surpriseaz.gov/ 233/Sports-Programs)
“My nana (grandmother) has supported me and is always there to cheer me on.”
Just like her “she”-ro, the former WNBA pro.
EDITOR’S NOTE:If you have a child or team that is seeking exposure and would like an in-depth sports news story, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him for details under “Andre T. Johnson.”
Andre Johnson is the Founder and Publisher of Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and former reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
ABOUT ANDRE: Andre Johnson is a longtime sports journalist and a 2000 graduate of the University of the Memphis with Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. A native of Memphis, Johnson is a former sport reporter Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper and Memphis Sport Magazine. He worked as full-time staffer for The Commercial Appeal from 2000-2002, in which he was the beat reporter for the Memphis Houn’dawgs of now-defunct American Basketball Assocation and the Memphis Xplorers of the arenafootball2 league. He has interviewed numerous sports personalities, most notably Archie Manning, LeBron James, George “Iceman” Gervin, Issac Bruce, Laila Ali, Vince Carter, Paul Westphal, Phil Jackson, Ken Hamlin, Cortez Kennedy, Michael Oher, Kobe Bryant, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Patrick Willis, Stanley Morgan, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Mark Cuban, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, John Force, Lamar Odom, Alexandra Stevenson, Derek Fisher, Penny Hardaway, Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh, Tyreke Evans, Kirk Ferentz, and O. J. Mayo, among others. To reach Johnson, send email to: [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
Andre Johnson 
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have a child or team that is seeking exposure and would like an in-depth sports news story, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him for details under “Andre T. Johnson.”
