Category: Basketball

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NDN All-Stars In The Olympics

NDN All-Stars Olympics Post Logo

As the world comes together for the 2024 Olympics opening ceremonies, I would like to remind you of some of the amazing Native American athletes who have participated in past Olympic Games. These athletes showed incredible skill and talent and are great examples to Native athletes everywhere.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate their journeys and be inspired by their amazing accomplishments. These athletes remind us that with dreams and determination, anything is possible.

Here are some of the great NDN All-Stars who have participated in the Summer Olympics:

Basketball

Jesse “Cab” Renick (Chickasaw/Choctaw) – Won gold with the U.S. basketball team at the 1948 London Olympics.

Kyrie Irving (Standing Rock Sioux) – Competed in the 2016 Olympics, winning a gold medal with the U.S. basketball team..

Canoe/Kayak

Alwyn Morris (Mohawk) – Competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, winning gold in the K-2 1000m and bronze in the K-2 500m; also competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympics..

Golf

Rickie Fowler (Navajo) – Competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Hockey

Clarence “Taffy” Abel (Ojibwe) – Won Silver in the 1924 Winter Olympics. Was the U.S. Flag bearer.

Judo

Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne) – Competed in judo at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and served as the captain of the U.S. judo team.

Track and Field

Frank Pierce (Seneca) – Competed in the marathon at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics.

Tom Longboat (Onondaga) – Competed in the marathon at the 1908 London Olympics.

Jim Thorpe (Sac & Fox) – Won gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Andrew Sockalexis (Penobscot) – Competed in the marathon at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Louis Tewanima (Hopi) – Won a silver medal in the 10,000 meters at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Alex Decoteau (Cree) – Competed in the 5,000 meters at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Benjamin “Joe” Keeper (Cree) – Competed in the 10,000 meters at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, finishing fourth.

Ellison “Tarzan” Brown (Narragansett) – Competed in the marathon at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Wilson “Buster” Charles” (Oneida) – Competed in the decathlon in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, finishing 4th.

Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota) – Won gold in the 10,000 meters at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Sharon Day-Monroe (Mohawk) – Competed in track and field events at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

Lolo Jones (Choctaw) – Competed in hurdles at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics..

Volleyball

Jordan Larson (Ho-Chunk) – Accomplished volleyball player with multiple Olympic medals in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

Wrestling

Dan Henderson (Walla Walla) – Competed in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics.

Jacob Deitchler (Ojibwe) – Competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling.

I am sure that there are more, and I am digging around to see who else I can add to this impressive list.  If you know of someone I have omitted, please leave me a comment below so I can add them!

Now, let’s cheer on the current participants as we enjoy the spirit of unity and excellence that the Olympic Games bring.

#NDNAllstars #Olympics #track&field #wrestling #judo #running #pentathlon #decathlon

 

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.

Thank you for your support!

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Basketball Cherokee NDN All-Star Info NDN All-Star Profile

NDN All-Star #15 Angel Goodrich (Cherokee) –  A Trailblazer on the Basketball Court

 

Hey there, sports fans! Today, let’s talk about the incredible NDN All-Star #15 Angel Goodrich (Cherokee) – a powerhouse in the world of women’s basketball. Angel has not only left her mark on the court with her amazing skills but has also made history as a proud representative of her Cherokee heritage.

Angel’s journey in basketball began at a young age, fueled by her passion for the game. Growing up, she honed her skills at Sequoyah High School in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where she was the first Division I athletic scholarship recipient in the school’s history. During her 4 years at the Cherokee-operated school, she lettered in basketball, softball and track and field, and earned All-State honors as a sprinter. She also led the school’s basketball team, the Sequoyah Lady Indians, to three consecutive Class AAA state titles.

Her dedication paid off when she played college basketball at the University of Kansas. There, she showcased her exceptional talent as a point guard, leading her team to numerous victories and earning accolades for her outstanding performance. She was recognized nationally for her abilities and accomplishments by being voted as a finalist for the Naismith Award, Wade Trophy, Wooden Award, Nancy Lieberman Award, and the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Award.

After making a name for herself in college, Angel took her skills to the professional level in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Her time in the league was nothing short of remarkable. As a point guard for the Tulsa Shock (now Dallas Wings) and the Seattle Storm, Angel dazzled fans with her lightning-fast moves, precise passes, and clutch plays. Her tenacity on the court made her a fan favorite and solidified her place as one of the standout players in the WNBA.

What makes Angel Goodrich even more special is her strong connection to her Cherokee heritage. As a proud member of the Cherokee Nation, Angel has embraced and celebrated her roots, becoming a role model for young athletes with indigenous backgrounds. She has not only excelled in her sport but has also used her platform to promote awareness and appreciation for Native American cultures.

In a world where diversity is celebrated, NDN All-Star #15 Angel Goodrich stands out as a trailblazer, breaking barriers and inspiring others with her remarkable journey. From her early days shooting hoops in her hometown to making waves in the WNBA, Angel’s story is one of resilience, passion, and cultural pride. As we cheer for athletes on the court, let’s also celebrate the unique stories and backgrounds that make them the extraordinary individuals they are. Angel – thank you for being a true inspiration both on and off the basketball court!

 

#NDNAllstars #AngelGoodrich #Cherokee #basketball #WNBA #TulsaShock #SeattleStorm

 

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!

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Basketball Chickasaw Choctaw NDN All-Star Profile Tribal Affiliation

NDN All-Star #12 Jesse “Cab” Renick (Chickasaw/Choctaw) – A Player Just A Little Ahead Of His Time

NDN All-Star #12 Jesse "cab" Renick (Chickasaw/Choctaw)

Let me introduce you to a true legend of the game, NDN All-Star #12 Jesse “Cab” Renick (Chickasaw/Choctaw). He was a basketball sensation in the days before the NBA. At the time, AAU Basketball was the pinnacle of the sport, and that is where Cab really shined – so much so that in the 1947-48 season, he was selected for the AAU All-American team!

Back in 1948, Renick earned a spot on the United States Olympic basketball team and even had the honor of being its captain. His leadership skills and athletic prowess played a pivotal role in the team’s success at the Olympics where the US team took the Gold Medla! Picture this: Cab – representing the United States on the world stage! He showcased his exceptional talents and leadership qualities in front of a global audience.

Cab’s Olympic triumph became a wellspring of inspiration for generations to come, earning him a well-deserved place in the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame. PLUS – Renick became just the second Native American in Oklahoma’s history to clinch an Olympic gold medal.

Cab’s achievements on the hardwood have left an indelible mark, motivating future generations of Native American athletes to chase their own dreams and shatter barriers. His story is a real example that with hard work and determination, Native Americans can rise to greatness in sports and every other facet of life. NDN All-Star #12 Jesse “Cab” Renick’s enduring legacy is a compelling reminder of the vital role representation and diversity play in the worlds of sports and society.

#NDNAllstars #JesseCabRenick #Chickasaw #Choctaw #basketball #Olympics

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!

 

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Basketball NDN All-Star Profile Umatilla

NDN All-Star #3 – Shoni Schimmel (Umatilla)

 

As a Pacific Northwest guy, it is easy to root for this basketball phenom from eastern Oregon.

I followed her career to Louisville (along with her sister) where they were college stars – and a “feel good” story to boot.  Two sisters from the “Rez” go to college and have success!  Good stuff!

Some of you may know this – but in case you don’t – there was a documentary made about her basketball journey from tiny Mission, Oregon on the Umatilla Reservation to an NCAA Division 1 college.  It is called “Off the Rez”.  (I found it on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/UEj2WSmDFGQ)

And then, when Schimmel got drafted by the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream in the 1st round, it was great to see her take her talent to the highest level!  A highlight of her professional career was being named the Most Valuable Player of the 2014 WNBA All-Star Game!  Shoni put on a show with her shooting and ball handling skills that day.

Shoni has devoted a lot of time in recent years to running basketball camps for kids in Indian communities throughout the country.  A few girls I know have attended her camps and found a new hero – someone who started out just like them, little girls with a basketball and a dream.

#ndnallstars #shonischimmel #wnba #basketball #umatilla

If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!