Meet Navelle Stevenson | Basketball Savant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Navelle Stevenson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Navelle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My initial thought process was to use basketball as a mentoring tool to reach youth in the community. I’m from Brooklyn, NY Coney Island area and I was inspired by the men in my community like Dan, “Tiny” Martin, Mr. Smith and many others that used basketball to reach the youth in our community. Basketball changed by life in many ways. I learned over the years that the same principles that I learned playing and teaching basketball also applies to life. I found that basketball and sports in general builds character. I grew as a person tremendously through playing basketball because it required discipline, commitment and character. You can do everything right and put in all the work and still not achieve the basketball goal you were seeking. But you grow and learn a lot about yourself through that journey that you’re able to apply to other aspects and areas of your life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Most people in Dallas only know me as a basketball Coach and Trainer, but I’ve actually worked as a Probation Officer full-time in Dallas County for 8.5 years. It was a very interesting career, where I learned a lot about myself and other people. I recently resigned in November 2022 to pursue my dreams and professional career in basketball. Being a Probation Officer was a very demanding and mentally draining job, it was very difficult at times balancing my career, parenthood and basketball program but I made it work through my commitment to the athletes and youth that I served. A long this journey I have learned to do everything with purpose and stay true to myself, because it’s easy to get lost in the hype and stray away from your purpose for why you’re doing what you’re doing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

The DFW is such a exciting place and there are so many things to do. Being that I’m a big basketball guy, the first thing on the agenda would be to catch a college or NBA game. My favorite restaurant to eat and drink at is Glorias so we would definitely have to go there. There are plenty of museums and historical attractions around the city that I would be interested in going to. As far as nightlight and entertainment, I would connect with my guy Fred Banks. Fred runs a marketing company and throws parties and events around the city, so we would have no issue finding fun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been so many people along my journey of life that has play major roles in me getting to this point, but the first people to come to my mind is my grandparents specifically my grandmother Deborah Stevenson. She raised my brothers and I even long after my grandfather passed away and I and taught me everything I know. Without her time, patience, love and great example I would be nowhere and have never made it out the neighborhood to meet anyone else that I met later in life.

Image credit:
Photographer: A.J. Brown-Pear

Website: https://www.balleruniversitybasketball.com/

Instagram: BallerUniversityBasketball & Navelley

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/navelle-stevenson-15957724

Facebook: Baller University Basketball

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVhl9-NRpq4hiQ1LvUlUhQ