Michelle Reed Bio

Michelle Reed's remarkable journey is a testament to resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of sports and business. Growing up with a deep passion for athletics, Michelle discovered basketball at an early age, quickly realizing it was more than just a sport—it was her calling. Her determination and talent on the court propelled her through high school and collegiate athletics, ultimately leading to a successful career as a professional basketball player.

Michelle made history at Grossley Jr High School, where she was the only girl on an all-boys basketball team from her freshman through senior year, contributing significantly to the team's winning legacy. Her prowess continued in high school and college, where she earned numerous championships and accolades, solidifying her reputation as an outstanding athlete.

Michelle's notable high school and collegiate awards and achievements include:

• Grossley Junior High School 8 - Queens, NY

• August Martin High School - Queens, NY

• All-City P.S.A.L. Class A Division Girls High School Basketball Honors

• P.S.A.L. Class A Division Girls Varsity City & State Champions - 1988-89

• P.S.A.L. Class A Division Girls Varsity City Champion - 1989-90

• New York Daily News High School First All-Star Team as a Junior - 1990

• New York City High School "Exceptional Seniors Team" Honor -1990-91

• P.S.A.L. Class A Division Player of the Year - 1991

• New York City Daily News High School First Team All-American Team - 1991

• The Newsday All-City Team - 1991

• High School MVP Award Honors

• Sullivan Junior College Lexington, KY - Basketball Scholarship Recipient

• Bluegrass State Games Hoop-It-Up 3-on-3 Champion -1992

• Team Most Valuable Player at Sullivan Business College, Lexington KY 1993

• 1993 JC/CC Kodak Women's First Team All-American

• U.S.A. Junior Olympic Festival Gold Medalist of South Team 

• NCAA Division I - Western KY University Lady Topper Basketball Scholarship Recipient

• NCAA Western KY University - 1995 Sun Belt Conference Champion 

• NCAA Western KY University - 1995 Sweet 16 in Tennessee

• Player of the Week Honors at Western Kentucky University - 1996

• FIBA Women's Professional Basketball League - Croatia, Europe -1997

• 1998 WNBA Pre-Draft Camp

• Professional Player with WNBA Los Angelas Sparks - 1998

• FIBA Women's Professional Basketball League - Espoo Finland, Europe -1999

• Professional Basketball Career Retirement - 2000

Following her collegiate success, Michelle took her talents overseas, playing professionally in Croatia and Finland. Her international career further enriched her skills and expanded her global perspective, adding invaluable experiences that would shape her life beyond the court.

Michelle also played with the Los Angeles Sparks in 1998 and was a valuable player on the Pro-Am Women's Semi-Pro Travel Team. These experiences further highlighted her exceptional talent and dedication to basketball.

Throughout her basketball journey, Michelle experienced both exhilarating triumphs and challenging setbacks, each moment teaching invaluable lessons about discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. Her experiences as an athlete deeply shaped her character and provided the foundational skills necessary for her future endeavors.

After retiring from professional basketball in 2002, Michelle transitioned seamlessly from sports to Director of Programming thru out NYC, entrepreneurship, leveraging the same tenacity that defined her athletic career. Becoming a published author of , "What Happens After The Game: A Memoir," which opened #1 on Amazon, candidly explores this transition and the lessons learned along the way, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their dreams beyond their playing days.

Today, Michelle is the Founder of a nonprofit called Dream In Vertical Network Inc., where she plans to empower women and young athletes by bridging the gap between sports, business, and personal development. As a respected philanthropists, business woman, and community advocate, her ultimate goal is to get back to organizing basketball clinics, mentorship programs, and empowerment events that's aimed at fostering confidence, leadership, and success among girls and women in sports.

Michelle’s mission remains clear: to share her experiences, uplift others, and demonstrate that the end of one career can be the powerful beginning of another. Her story is a profound example of passion, adaptability, and continuous growth.