Charlotte Smith, this week’s guest on “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” is about to enter her 12th year as Elon University’s women’s basketball coach. But the all-time winningest coach at the school is arguably better known for her own college playing career, thanks to making one of the most remarkable shots in NCAA tournament basketball history — a buzzer-beating three-pointer that won the 1994 NCAA title for the University of North Carolina.
After college, the Shelby, N.C., native's pro career led her to Italy, where Smith was MVP of the Italian All-Star Game in the 1995-96 season, and then to the WNBA's Charlotte Sting in 1999. In Part 1 of our conversation, I talked to Smith about overcoming fear to meet the moment on the court; the life-changing role of coaches off the court; and her being a pioneering slam dunker in the women's game.
On Part 2 of our conversation, Smith looks back at the road to her “blessed place,” Elon; getting posterized in the movie Juwanna Mann; and the immense strength she has found in asking for help. For that, subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts.
Sports Legends of the Carolinas is hosted by Scott Fowler. It's produced by Jeff Siner and Kata Stevens. McClatchy's director of audio is Davin Coburn. For lots more on the show, visit https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sportslegends .
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