The Detroit Pistons nominee for Jr. NBA coach of the year had to give up playing basketball because of a heart condition.
The diagnosis came during Shae Smith’s freshman year at Concordia College.
She couldn’t walk away, which led to her next act, becoming a youth basketball coach and trainer before turning 21.
Smith said it’s not a major reach.
“The only difference is I can’t physically put the ball in the hoop,” she said with a laugh.
“I’m still yelling, I’m still communicating, I’m still interacting, I’m still making sure my boys have water.