My name is Celia Kelly and now that I think about it, I should have known all along I was going to be a sports writer. In fifth grade I was cut from the basketball team.  The coach of the team also ran the school newspaper and from my lack of skills on the court she must have known I could write.  She gave me my first editor’s position.  Since then I’ve been known as a dabbler, but I am more than happy to say I’ve finally found my niche.  Everything I was looking for was right here the whole time.

I grew up in the 90’s and I’ll never forget having a crush on BJ Armstrong, Luc Longley’s body surfing injury, Dennis Rodman controlling the boards, and screaming my lungs out for Scottie and Michael every night.  I was the only kid in the house watching the games with the adults. And to this day, I remember asking my parents why MJ was crying back on that Father’s Day in ‘96.  I’ll never forget how I felt when he retired and I’ll never forget the fax that was heard around the world. “I’m Back.”  I had butterflies every time I saw the bull running through the city right before the game started and to this day the Bulls player announcement song still sends chills down my spine.

I watched NBA Inside Stuff every Saturday morning instead of cartoons.  I was outside playing ball with the boys more than I was ever inside playing dolls with the girls. Forcing the last game of the season as a freshman into triple overtime is so much more than a distant memory, and I’ll never forget how it felt hitting five three’s against Stockdale senior year because in that game everything I threw up went in.  I am blessed to say despite my injuries I ended finishing my very last shot on a left hand lay up right after yelling “cookies” when my point guard stole the ball. 

I have a wonderful supportive family who from the beginning have had a heavy hand in blossoming my growth.  A big thanks goes to my mom Maggie, who instead of passing down a heirloom piece of jewelry, she passed down her Inglewood High School letterman’s jacket embroidered with a girl snatching down boards and “Lady Leap” on the back.  Thank you to my brother Chris, who doesn’t know it but I’m his biggest fan.  I can’t wait to write about him when he gets to the Olympics.  A big thanks also goes to my dad, Danyel for being supportive of my writing from the beginning and showing by example what it means to work hard. Thank you to all my friends and family who take the time to support me and read my work even though I know its something they know nothing about.  Lastly, I’d like to thank Zach Harper and talkhoops.net for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts and words with many and allowing me to be the first female feature writer on the site.

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