It’s not every day the “world’s best” at anything comes to Clever Middle School, but it happened the moment Tanya Crevier stepped foot on campus.
The “world’s best female basketball handler” spoke to students kindergarten through eighth grade, with another assembly later in the day at the high school, with her trademark mix of eye-catching dribbling and inspirational messages.
“I’ve always wanted to contribute and give back to people,” Crevier said. “I had so many people that gave positive influence into my life.”
Crevier realized her talent for ball-handling tricks at 12 years old, but she was no means limited on the court. She was a four-year letter-winner at South Dakota State, and also played three years in the Women’s Professional Basketball League. But even though her career has taken her away from the competitive court, she is completely at peace.
“I know that I’m supposed to be doing this,” Crevier said, spinning a basketball on her finger as she talked. “I don’t even miss the game, because I’m still in it, because I’m still giving back.”
Her career has since taken her around the world, from performing in maximum security prisons to NBA arenas to schools like Clever.
“This elementary school, these kids here, are just as important, if not more important than being at that NBA game,” she said. “Every place I go is divinely set up by God.”
The hundreds of school kids at Clever were wowed by Crevier’s display, which included spinning a basketball on a pole nearly 20 feet high, and spinning 10 basketballs at once. But she says her goal is bigger than just hoops.
“Lift them up, build them up, say ‘Hey, you can do it, never give up, pursue excellence, keep your standards high and just see where it takes you,’” she said. “You know where it’s taken me? All over the world.”
