On Friday, Bridget Pettis, Assistant Coach of the 2007 Champion Phoenix Mercury, visited the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale, Fountain Hills Branch where she spoke to girls, ages 6-14, about her journey through the WNBA and the importance of involvement in sports. At the appearance she signed autographs, and conducted a clinic for those in attendance to go over the basics in dribbling, shooting, defense, and passing.

Pettis played six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury and tied a WNBA record for consecutive games played. She retired from the WNBA after the 2002 season and now teaches her extensive basketball knowledge to Mercury players as an assistant coach.

More than 60 girls were in attendance to listen to the former Mercury guard. Pettis spoke about her experience in youth sports and how it led her to where she is today, finishing the 2007 season with a WNBA Championship. She also emphasized the importance of participating in sports while also continuing your education, and daring to dream the impossible. Pettis played basketball at the University of Florida while also earning her degree.

Young girls had the opportunity to participate in drills conducted by Pettis where the fundamentals of the game were taught. There were four stations – shooting, passing, dribbling, and defense. Participants rotated every ten minutes to the next drill, keeping the kids excited about each new lesson. The chance to learn firsthand from one of the WNBA greats is an experience that the girls who participated will never forget.

After an exciting forty minutes of drills, shirts were given out to reward those who excelled or improved during the practice. Pettis even stayed to sign autographs for every girl there, ensuring that no one was sent home empty handed.

Pettis is active in the Phoenix community utilizing her celebrity platform to deliver positive messages to children around the valley. The staff at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale, Fountain Hills Branch is confident that the appearance by Pettis will help grow the girls basketball leagues in the Boys and Girls clubs of greater Scottsdale.