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‘I’m here to make a statement’
From Kentucky to wherever her feet will take her, basketball star Chelsey Shumpert is on a personal mission. The 25-year-old Nottingham Wildcats player is relishing the opportunity to push women’s basketball in Britain. By Sonia Randev
Chelsey Shumpert [Mansoor Ahmad]

What made you want to become a professional basketball player?

I enjoyed playing the sport during my time at school and realised that I had the potential to become good, having played for four years and winning four district titles. Also being named MVP four times just showed this was meant for me. Having suffered a terrible injury in my junior year, I could have quite easily quit. But I didn’t. I was determined to get better and get myself back out there. 

Being young, it could have been an easy option for me to turn my back on the game but I was just getting started. My passion drove me to push myself. After I recovered I got scouted by another coach, where I transferred to Union from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, after three years playing in the NCAA.

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