Shoni Schimmel draws sellout crowd to Washington WNBA game


Shoni Schimmel was named Most Valuable Player at the WNBA All-Star game last month. Image from NDNSports.Com

Shoni Schimmel, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, drew a sellout crowd to a WNBA game in Seattle, Washington, on Thursday night but her star power wasn't enough to help her team win.

The matchup between the Atlanta Dream and the Seattle Storm drew Schimmel fans from across the Northwest. Many chanted her name in the stands, which motivated her rivals even more.

“We were mad,” Storm forward Camille Little told The Seattle Times. “This is our home court. We wanted to play well, and we’re playing for our lives right now.”

The Dream ended up falling to the Storm by a score of 88-68. But Schimmel was still grateful for the support she received.

"This is home for me, and for everybody to come out tonight and show support, thank you guys," Schimmel said after the game, The Oregonian reported.

Get the Story:
Franklin's Shoni Schimmel brings 'Rez Ball' back to NW (AP 8/7)
Sellout crowd sees Shoni Schimmel play and Storm beat Dream, 88-68 (The Seattle Times 8/8)
Shoni 'Showtime' Schimmel of Atlanta Dream captivates Seattle, has eye on becoming 'one of the best' (The Oregonian 8/8)

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