FLINT, MI – Deanna Nolan's basketball journey is a remarkable one. From the local courts of Flint to global stardom, she has left an indelible mark.

Uncover the Global Basketball Journey of Deanna Nolan

Playing Against the Boys in Flint

Before making a name on the global stage, Deanna Nolan had to earn her respect in pick-up games against boys in her hometown. In her neighborhood, it was already established. But when venturing around the city, she had to prove herself. "They respected me right away," Nolan said. "We'd known each other since elementary. It's always the ones that when you go to blacktops or to the park or the YMCA, then you have some doubters until you show them and prove yourself." Nolan didn't start playing organized basketball on girls teams until fifth or sixth grade. But by then, her growth had been accelerated by playing against boys in a city known for its basketball talent. "I had to do what they did. I had to keep up. It kind of helped me develop my athletic ability, my toughness from playing pick-up against bigger players, faster players, stronger players."

Winning State Championships at Flint Northern

From the blacktops of Flint, Nolan went on to win two state championships at Flint Northern High School in the mid-1990s. Northern had previously won four straight state championships from 1978-81, with a bid for a fifth consecutive title ending in the 1982 final. The Vikings didn't advance out of regionals again until Nolan's sophomore year when they won the 1994 Class A crown with a 46-32 victory over Detroit King. In 1995, they won again, and Nolan had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists in the championship game. Although Northern lost in the 1996 quarterfinals to Grand Rapids Christian, Nolan was named the state's Miss Basketball. "It was great to bring the championship back to Northern, especially back-to-back," Nolan said. "It was one of those things being from Flint, such a small city, that you didn't think it could happen, because most of us were freshmen playing on varsity. It's like you had to grow up quick, because at the high school level in my era it was tough."

WNBA Success with the Detroit Shock

Nolan went on to the University of Georgia, averaging 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in three seasons before declaring early for the WNBA draft. She was able to return close to home when the Detroit Shock made her the sixth overall pick in 2001. Two years later, the Shock won the first of three championships during her career. "The previous season, we were not so good. We started the season like 0-10, 0-15, something like that. To go from worst to first in a matter of a year was one of the biggest comeback stories. I think we're the first ever to do that." Nolan averaged 13.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals in nine seasons with the Shock. In 48 playoff games, she elevated her game by averaging 18.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. In the deciding fifth game of the 2006 championship series against Sacramento, Nolan scored 24 points to earn MVP honors.

European Basketball Adventures

Her European career took her to Italy, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Israel for one-year stints before she played 11 years in Russia. "Basketball has taken me literally all over the world," she said. "Flint is known as a basketball city. We have a lot of great players and upcoming talent who have come and are still coming out of Flint. We always know people from Flint are tough; that's what we're known for."

The End of a Career and a New Chapter

When the Shock relocated to Tulsa, Okla., for the 2010 season, Nolan quit playing in the WNBA but continued playing in Europe. Not playing WNBA games in the spring and summer gave her some down time and allowed her to extend her career until she was 38 years old. Her career would have lasted longer if not for a fluke injury sustained in a pick-up football game during a gathering of Flint Northern alumni. "I stepped into a divot in the grass. I thought I just sprained my heel, but I ruptured my plantar fascia. It was my first major injury. I was supposed to sign with another team in Russia. I was 38 at the time. This was 2018. I thought it would take a month or two to heal. It took nine months to heal. I missed my window, especially as an older player." With her basketball career over, Nolan opened a wine bar in downtown Utica. It was a dream of hers for years, just expected that it would come down the road. "I thought I had at least four or five more years. Maybe three. It depends on the body. I wasn't getting any younger. I thought I had a couple more years left playing. I played until I was 38 by taking care of the body, knowing what to do and what not to do."