Odyssey Sims, a seasoned guard for the Dallas Wings, is making her way to the Florida panhandle this weekend to host a basketball camp for young female athletes. Although she has limited experience in Florida, having only visited Bradenton, Sims is eager to connect with the local community through her "Workout with O" event, which will take place on Saturday from 2-6 p.m. at the Gulf Breeze Recreation Center.
In a recent phone interview, Sims expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming camp, stating, "I’m super excited for the camp. I can’t wait to see how many girls we have. This is the start of many, so I’m just excited. Hopefully this won’t be the last time we come back to Florida." This sentiment reflects her commitment to fostering the next generation of basketball talent.
Sims, now in her 13th season in the WNBA, boasts an impressive resume that includes a national championship with Baylor University in 2012. She was a three-time All-American and won the prestigious Wade Trophy in 2014, awarded to the best Division I basketball player. After being drafted second overall by the Tulsa Shock in 2014, she earned her first WNBA All-Star selection in 2019. Currently, she is averaging 4.8 points and 2.0 assists per game in her third stint with the Wings.
With the WNBA offseason allowing her to remain stateside, Sims has received requests to train young players. Her first "Workout With O" camp was held on May 29 at Kingdom Collegiate Academy in Dallas, and the Gulf Breeze event marks her continued outreach to aspiring athletes. The connection to Pensacola was facilitated by local coach Tra Alidor, who has long admired Sims and helped bridge the gap to local AAU programs and coaches, including Jade Brown, head coach of the Booker T. Washington girls basketball team.
Chris Harpe, Sims' brand manager, highlighted the significance of having a professional athlete, particularly a woman in sports, give back to the community. He noted, "Having a professional athlete, especially in women’s sports, come down and give back was just such a big deal. Especially in Florida. People started rallying around the idea." This underscores the importance of role models in sports, particularly for young girls.
During the camp, Sims plans to guide participants through drills and conditioning exercises that have contributed to her success. However, her goal extends beyond basketball skills; she aims to impart valuable life lessons and insights into the opportunities available in professional sports. The camp will also partner with the One Love Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending relationship abuse. Sims became acquainted with the foundation through her involvement with Athletes Unlimited and intends to educate campers on recognizing signs of unhealthy relationships.
Sims is keen on inspiring young athletes, emphasizing that even as the WNBA grows in popularity, there are multiple pathways to success in basketball, including leagues like Athletes Unlimited, Unrivaled, and Project B. She hopes to instill a sense of perseverance and self-worth in every participant. "Just being able to share a little bit of my story, what I’ve been through and also that they have a story to tell as well when they get older," Sims remarked. "Even if they’re on the fence of playing basketball or whatever it may be, just let them know they can do what they set their mind to, even if it’s not being a professional basketball player. You could still be a professional athlete."
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