Dallas

Texas Connects Us: National Girls and Women in Sports Day

The Dallas Wings' inaugural WNBA season hasn't even tipped off yet, but local star Odyssey Sims is already giving back to the North Texas community.

"These girls really look up to me," Sims said. "These girls want to be in my position."

Sims held court Wednesday at The Covenant School in Dallas. Surrounded by members of the girls' basketball team she shared some words of encouragement.

"Some of y'all may not play basketball after you graduate, and that's okay," Sims told the crowd.

"Y'all might want to be a doctor, a lawyer. Whatever it is, whatever dreams you have, make sure you follow that."

Wednesday was what the Women's Sports Foundation has labeled National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Now in its 30th year, it's a national observance celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women in sports.

Sims, who attended Irving's MacArthur High School, later led Baylor University to a national championship. Then, in 2014, she was the second-overall pick in the WNBA draft.

"Not everyone can be or will be in our position," Sims said. "But just being a WNBA player and being able to inspire young girls, if they're five or six, or all the way up to high school and college, that's what it's all about."

"It's very inspirational," said Covenant High School basketball player Ruth Legesse. "She kept on going for her dreams."

Ruth's coach was impressed, too.

"You're going to be successful at something if you put your heart and mind to it," said Covenant High School coach Weldon Barber.

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