What an Experience at the White House!

I was invited to the White House to lead a clinic on behalf of Michelle Obama’s initiative, “Let’s Move,” WNBA Fit, and the Phoenix Mercury. Prior to the clinic, we did a tour of the White House. Following the tour we were greeted by President Obama to honor the Mercury for their WNBA Championship.

After he spoke, he walked over and shook my hand. (Admittedly, my heart was racing a bit...well..a lot) I said, “Hello, I am Jennifer Azzi.” He said, “Jennifer, I know who you are, congratulations.” What?? I was shocked...blew me away! I guess he really is a basketball fan...and he is extremely respectful and complementary of the women’s game.

We talked briefly and then he greeted more people. He has such a kindness, and sincerity about him. And he is one of the most charismatic people I have ever met. What an amazing experience!

Following our meeting with President Obama, we went out to the White House Basketball Court for our clinic. The court is really special, very private, surrounded by lush greenery and a 15-foot fence. This is the place where President Obama, an avid basketball player, shoots hoops. The ball rack is full of balls with his name branded on them.

The players from the Mercury and I worked with 40 boys and girls from a local Y. We were the first ever public event on the White House Basketball Court! In spite of extreme heat and humidity, the clinic was amazing! The kids will never forget being on the White House Court — not many people can say they have had that experience... It was a very special day for all.

Diana Taurasi and Renee Brown

Members of the WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury

WNBA Cares in Connecticut

Donna Orender, right, and the WNBA All-Stars

I hosted a WNBA Cares Fit event with several WNBA All-Stars and Olympians at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.

A big part of the WNBA Cares mission is to help teach and educate kids to be healthy and active. I also had the opportunity to watch our next Olympians practice. The level of play and talent is outstanding!

Geno Auriemma, head coach University of Connecticut and Olympic team coach

Geno Auriemma, UCONN’s head coach, is our Olympic team’s head coach as well. I like his intensity and his teaching style with the players. As I prepare for next season coaching my team at USF, it is invaluable to learn from the great coaches around the country.

July is recruiting month and most coaches, including myself, are out nearly 20 days this month watching tournaments all over the country. We were recruiting at a huge tournament, End of The Trail, in Portland prior to my quick time out with WNBA All-Star.

Now it’s back to recruiting in Chicago! As I watch the young women compete in hopes of getting a college scholarship, I am so grateful that women have these kinds of opportunities to fulfill their dreams.

It was not that long ago that women did not have opportunities like this....

Jayne Appel, WNBA All-Star from Stanford

Tamika Catchings, WNBA All-Star and Olympian

Teresa Edwards, 5-time Olympian

Be Your Best!

We just finished a week of the 3rd Annual Azzi Camp in Mill Valley (here's a post from last year's event). We had 115 boys and girls. It was a blast! Our staff was outstanding and the kids were tremendous!

I hope they all left loving basketball and having a desire to, as our motto states, “Be Your Best.” I feel lucky to live in a community where kids are very active and there is so much support for our public schools.

NBA All-Star Weekend (Day 1) Featuring Laura Bush

I have been going non-stop since I got here to Dallas! We have had a number of events the past couple of days.

A real highlight was our NBA Cares event with Laura Bush. Bob Lanier and I co-hosted the event. (And it was a really cool to be able to address the former First Lady...)

Read to Achieve

We dedicated a new library at Ferrell Elementary School in Dallas. Since Mrs. Bush is a former librarian and is passionate about literacy in this country, she was a perfect fit for the event. She was extremely kind and delivered a very graceful and articulate message encouraging the kids to read. I was fortunate to have been able to meet her and talk to her for a bit. She was wonderful.

With Felipe Lopez and Mark Cuban

WNBA Cares About Kids

I was in Phoenix for the WNBA Final — Phoenix vs. Indiana. The game was outstanding!!! Phoenix won in overtime, 120-116. The skill level and scoring ability of both teams may be the best I have ever seen, and I am not easily impressed!

I was in town for our WNBA Cares event at the Lincoln Phoenix YMCA. Toyota, the Phoenix Mercury and the WNBA partnered for a $50,000 renovation of the reading and learning center at the “Y.”

I emceed the event and my good friend and colleague NBA Legend Bob Lanier came to support the cause. He is one of the most outstanding people I have ever met!

There were about 50 kids chosen based on their good grades to be a part of the program and to be the first to use the center. I love these events because the kids can’t stop smiling!

An Awesome Experience

On Monday, I had the awesome opportunity to visit the White House. I have been there twice before. Each visit has been spectacular!

The first visit was in 1990 with George Bush Sr. following our Stanford NCAA Championship. The second was with Bill Clinton just before the 1996 Olympics. President Clinton took our team into the Oval Office, talked with us at length, and escorted us on a run along the Potomac River. His memory is amazing—he recalled a conversation he had with one of my teammates a year prior to the visit!

The White House gate

Since 9/11 they no longer give public tours of the White House without advance notice, background checks and a lot of security. In keeping with White House tradition, teams that win major championships still get invited for a private event with the President.

Since the Detroit Shock won the 2008 WNBA Championship, they were invited to the White House by President Obama. As the WNBA Cares Spokesperson and Ambassador, I was part of the official group.

Meeting with the Boys & Girls Club

Each visit to the White House has been special for me, but there was something more transformational about this one.

As we toured the residence, the green room, the blue room, the red room, etc. and we saw the portraits of all of the past presidents and first ladies, it became clear how history has changed. I watched the inauguration last January and saw the millions gathered on the Mall to witness first hand the change we were all about to experience.

When President Obama spoke to us, I found him to be extremely compassionate, eloquent, articulate, prepared, and kind. He congratulated the Detroit Shock and spoke about how positive it is for his daughters to have role models in sports.

As he spoke, I was sitting in the front row, maybe 15 feet away. When he was finished speaking he shook the players' hands and then he walked straight over to me. I was shocked! We chatted briefly and then he spoke to Senator Carl Levin, who was seated next to me.

No matter what your political views may be, I found President Obama to be genuine and authentic. He is incredibly charismatic and he truly represents what is possible in America.

Sitting with Reneé Brown, WNBA Vice President of Player Personnel

WNBA All-Star Weekend

I had the opportunity to attend the WNBA All-Star festivities over the weekend. What an amazing time!

In the above photo, I'm standing with Mike Thibault head coach of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun (2008 WNBA Coach of the Year) and two young ladies who introduced me at a WNBA Cares event.

Here I am working with kids as part of WNBA Cares Toyota Project Rebound in Windham, Conn. Toyota and the WNBA partnered to renovate the boys and girls club basketball court. It was gorgeous! I emceed the event and had the pleasure of working with the all stars on hand for the clinic — including 5-time all star Tamika Catchings.

Here's a photo of me and a Fox reporter at the WNBA All-Star Game.

It was a great weekend. I've got a ton of fun stuff coming up in the next little while, and I'll be sure to keep you all in the loop here. Thanks for reading.

A Great Week at Camp

I had a great time with the kids, 3rd-8th grade boys and girls, at my basketball camp last week.

Trooper Johnson, Paralympian, played one-on-one against the kids and never lost!!! Amazing skills!

Keith Smart spoke to the kids too. He is the assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors and played for Indiana University. He is known for his last-second buzzer beater against Syracuse to win the NCAA Championship in 1987.

I was very impressed with the staff and the kids. I even got out there and played. Camp brings out the kid in me! We had a fun and exciting week!!! Here are a few photos from the camp.

Trooper Johnson demonstrating his amazing skills.


Keith Smart talks to the campers.

A New Reading & Learning Center in Seattle

I was in Seattle yesterday for the dedication of a new Reading and Learning Center.

I emceed the event for the WNBA and the Seattle Storm. Sue Bird and Swin Cash were two of the Storm players who participated in the event. The Storm partnered with WNBA Cares, and Pitney Bowes sponsored the renovation of the center.

Kids from disadvantaged situations will have an opportunity to read and learn in a wonderful setting. I was blown away by the before and after photos of the center. They did so much work, painting and building to create such and incredible place for the kids.

A funny moment happened when I was introducing the VP for Pitney Bowes. As soon as I said the word “Vice-President,” one little boy yelled, “You mean OBAMA!” Absolutely hysterical! I took a deep breath and said, “well, we tried to get Obama here, but he was busy today.”

The kids were really sweet. They are our future, so I am thrilled when I can be a part of events like this.