WNBA Star Steps Away from Basketball to Start Phoenix Nonprofit
WNBA star Bridget Pettis is stepping away from the game and her most recent role as assistant coach of the Chicago Sky amidst increasing health concerns for players and social unrest around the country.
Pettis will instead put her focus on her community in Phoenix, where she founded the nonprofit Project Roots AZ. The organization aims to educate the community on growing their own food through various educational programs. They also support the homeless by feeding them from their community gardens and mobile kitchen service, supplying hygiene items, clothing and shelter.
“I asked a lot of questions that not too many people were happy about. I discovered that some medical staff of teams not only believe it’s not safe, but also the women don’t have enough resources as they believe we should, unlike the NBA, going into this bubble,” Pettis said. “If the WNBA cannot upgrade the situation even more with safety, I feel the WNBA should wait and play the following season. Why put ourselves and players in Florida as cases increase?”
Pettis believes serving others by educating them about growing their own food and aiding the hungry is the pivot needed right now. “I feel the WNBA should use its platform this year in the communities of the teams and the communities where players live,” Pettis said. “I encourage others to find a project they are passionate about and jump in 100%. We can play next year.”
Along with volunteering in their gardens, the nonprofit also offers seasonal produce bags, sells garden boxes for home use, makes soup for the homeless and sells at the Spaces of Opportunities farmers markets.
“I definitely understand the WNBA is a business, but we need healthy players for this type of business to function properly,” said Pettis. “We seek to provide and promote a healthier, natural and more sustainable way of living in urban areas where there is a need. This is the right decision for me and others as we move forward during the pandemic.”
Bridget Pettis has three decades of experience in the WNBA as a player, coach and executive. Pettis’ WNBA career began in 1997 when she was selected by the Phoenix Mercury with the seventh overall pick in the WNBA Elite Draft.
