BearLady
02-28-2007, 12:42 PM
Here's a very nice article on Danielle Gant's success off the court as well as on it.
More than just hoops for A&M's Gant
Gant driven to succeed both on the court and in the classroom
01:39 AM CST on Wednesday, February 28, 2007
By RACHEL COHEN / The Dallas Morning News
rcohen@dallasnews.com
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Michelle Shelite nearly fell out of her chair. Her former student, who almost didn't qualify academically to play Division I basketball, said she was more concerned about earning her college degree than her hoops career.
When Texas A&M sophomore guard/forward Danielle Gant returns to her hometown of Oklahoma City next week for the Big 12 tournament, Shelite will watch with pride, not only because Gant stars for a highly ranked team, but because she now thrives in the classroom, too.
Shelite, Gant's middle school P.E. teacher, was a bit surprised Gant kept in touch, because the two butted heads at times. When Gant was a senior at Putnam City West High, Shelite learned Gant was in danger of not meeting Division I eligibility requirements.
College coaches assumed Gant, widely considered one of the nation's top 50 recruits, was headed for junior college. Shelite worked with Gant to enroll in the proper courses and study for the ACT.
Scouting a tournament in Little Rock in April 2005, Aggies coach Gary Blair learned from Gant's Amateur Athletic Union coach that she might qualify. Gant picked A&M over Oklahoma and South Carolina because she liked the location – not too close to home, but not too far.
Most top prospects sign in November of their senior years. Adding a player of Gant's caliber that late is "very, very rare," Blair said.
Michelle Roberts, an A&M athletics learning specialist, started working with Gant the summer before her freshman year and realized she mostly needed sharper study skills.
During her first semester, Gant told Roberts she wanted to transfer to a junior college.
"If you give me 100 percent," Roberts said, "I'll stand by you and we'll get through this."
After that, Roberts said, Gant's performance "just took off."
As a freshman last year, Gant was honored as the female athlete who best exemplifies the philosophy of A&M's Learning Center academic support program.
Hardworking on the court, too, which she must be as an undersized post player. Generously listed as 5-11, Gant ranks third in the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.569) and 11th in rebounding (7.2).
When preseason All-Big 12 pick Morenike Atunrase broke her foot in December, Blair told Gant she'd have to step up. She's averaged 11.9 points in the 20 games since, up from 7.7 points in the first seven games.
Savvy, versatile and athletic, Gant can play inside and out. She has always logged starters' minutes but likes coming off the bench.
"I see them run up and down the floor, see the mistakes and some of the good things they do," Gant said. "I know coming in what mistakes not to do."
And in the corner of Shelite's science classroom, mementos of the successes of former students – with Gant featured prominently – show her current pupils what to do.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texasam/stories/022807dnspoamgant.39330d1.html
More than just hoops for A&M's Gant
Gant driven to succeed both on the court and in the classroom
01:39 AM CST on Wednesday, February 28, 2007
By RACHEL COHEN / The Dallas Morning News
rcohen@dallasnews.com
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Michelle Shelite nearly fell out of her chair. Her former student, who almost didn't qualify academically to play Division I basketball, said she was more concerned about earning her college degree than her hoops career.
When Texas A&M sophomore guard/forward Danielle Gant returns to her hometown of Oklahoma City next week for the Big 12 tournament, Shelite will watch with pride, not only because Gant stars for a highly ranked team, but because she now thrives in the classroom, too.
Shelite, Gant's middle school P.E. teacher, was a bit surprised Gant kept in touch, because the two butted heads at times. When Gant was a senior at Putnam City West High, Shelite learned Gant was in danger of not meeting Division I eligibility requirements.
College coaches assumed Gant, widely considered one of the nation's top 50 recruits, was headed for junior college. Shelite worked with Gant to enroll in the proper courses and study for the ACT.
Scouting a tournament in Little Rock in April 2005, Aggies coach Gary Blair learned from Gant's Amateur Athletic Union coach that she might qualify. Gant picked A&M over Oklahoma and South Carolina because she liked the location – not too close to home, but not too far.
Most top prospects sign in November of their senior years. Adding a player of Gant's caliber that late is "very, very rare," Blair said.
Michelle Roberts, an A&M athletics learning specialist, started working with Gant the summer before her freshman year and realized she mostly needed sharper study skills.
During her first semester, Gant told Roberts she wanted to transfer to a junior college.
"If you give me 100 percent," Roberts said, "I'll stand by you and we'll get through this."
After that, Roberts said, Gant's performance "just took off."
As a freshman last year, Gant was honored as the female athlete who best exemplifies the philosophy of A&M's Learning Center academic support program.
Hardworking on the court, too, which she must be as an undersized post player. Generously listed as 5-11, Gant ranks third in the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.569) and 11th in rebounding (7.2).
When preseason All-Big 12 pick Morenike Atunrase broke her foot in December, Blair told Gant she'd have to step up. She's averaged 11.9 points in the 20 games since, up from 7.7 points in the first seven games.
Savvy, versatile and athletic, Gant can play inside and out. She has always logged starters' minutes but likes coming off the bench.
"I see them run up and down the floor, see the mistakes and some of the good things they do," Gant said. "I know coming in what mistakes not to do."
And in the corner of Shelite's science classroom, mementos of the successes of former students – with Gant featured prominently – show her current pupils what to do.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texasam/stories/022807dnspoamgant.39330d1.html