OMAR NEGRIN\THE REPORTER
After missing the Lady Sharks’ first four games this season due to a left leg injury, Michelle Wright, one of the top three-point shooters in the state last year, is ready to reassume her role as one the team’s leaders.
Wright, a 5-foot-7-inch shooting guard, shot 50 percent from three-point range last year while averaging 3.6 points points per game.
“Michelle is a very tenacious defender, talker and solid three-point shooter,” said Lady Sharks head coach Susan Summons. “She continues to improve her mid-range jump shot.”
Wright is originally from Hollywood, Florida where she attended South Broward High School. As a child, she played a variety of sports including tennis, gymnastics and track. Her older brother, Nigel Wright, introduced her to basketball when she was eight years old.
“I ended up falling in love with basketball because of him,” Wright said. “He taught me everything I know.”
Michelle and her brother played at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). She remembers losing to him every time; it ultimately made her work harder, which in turn made her a better player.
She immediately saw the shooting guard position as a natural fit.
“I’ve never really had another position,” Wright said. “I love to shoot and I love to shoot three pointers. I’ve always been that type of guard.”
Wright initially had no plans to play basketball collegiately, however, after seeing her play in an All-Star game, Summons offered her a scholarship to join the Lady Sharks.
“She is very focused on academics and helping the team win a championship, using good leadership on and off the floor,” Summons said.
Wright’s goal for her final season with the Lady Sharks, who are 2-2 this season, is focusing on improving her offense.
“I feel like I can expand my game outside the three,” Wright said. “I want to get into the mid-range and get to the basket.”
Off the court, Wright is a Netflix junkie and enjoys spending time bonding with her teammates.
“Michelle holds the team together. She’s very positive and is a great person to look up to,” freshman guard Natasha Polanco said. “She loves giving advice and helps everyone become a better version of themselves.”
Wright is a sports science major at MDC. Her passion for sports medicine ignited during her sophomore year of high school after a back injury.
“I want to become a physical therapist for a professional basketball team, that’s my plan,” Wright said.
The Lady Sharks next game will be on the road versus Florida Southwestern State College at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers on Nov. 15 at 5:30 p.m.
