By Dan Ninham
Shania Nichols-VanNett is from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. She is currently a basketball player for NCAA DI Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indy).
Nichols-VanNett credentials are increasing at the college basketball level. She was named an NJCAA DI All-American Honorable Mention selection and a Mon-Dak First Team All-Conference member while at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) her freshman season. She transferred to IU Indy the next season. Nichols-VanNett played six years of varsity basketball at Como Park HS in Saint Paul, MN. She reached her 1000 point as a senior.
Indigenous core values help ground athletes to live a good life. “As an Ojibwe woman who plays basketball, I carry my cultural values with me both on and off the court,” said Nichols-VanNett. “In practice and competition, I am guided by the teachings of respect, humility, and perseverance.”
“Respect means honoring my teammates, opponents, and the game itself by giving my full effort every time I step on the court. Humility reminds me to stay grounded, to celebrate victories with gratitude, and to learn from losses with grace. Perseverance pushes me to work hard.”
“I’m an athlete who has dealt with major injuries including two ACL and meniscus tears, causing me to catch up with the pace of the game, and not give up during the times I wanted to. Knowing that my dedication reflects not just my own strength but the strength of my community. Playing basketball isn’t just about winning; it’s about representing where I come from and making my people and family proud.”
Ronnie Smith was one of Shania’s high school basketball coaches. Smith said, “My first year coaching Shania she had torn her ACL and we sat on the bench next to each other the entire season. I first noticed how much she was into the game and understood it. I was excited for the next season but she came back during the AAU season and tore her ACL again. We found ourselves in that same position on the bench. She was able to play her junior year. That’s when I knew she could physically play at the next level. She came back and helped us to a third place finish in State. She was ready physically and mentally her senior year.”
Brian Pearson is Shania’s older sisters’ high school coach and trainer. He is also their uncle. “After Shania’s sixth grade year of AAU she wanted and showed she wanted to be better. We started that summer to work out seriously. Shania took the bull by the horn and really worked hard to become known. She went from being unknown to one of the best guards in her grade.”
Lindsay Knight is the certified athletic trainer at Como Park Senior High School. She said, “Since I first met Shania, I always had a feeling she was going to do amazing things personally and in her athletic career. She not only displayed pinnacle athleticism, but also spread positivity and an incredible work ethic through her natural ability to lead. During her high school career she suffered two ACL injuries, which required surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation. After the second injury she was frustrated, but her determination never faded. Shania continued to persevere through rigorous rehabilitative and strengthening exercises in order to get back to the court that she loved.”
Makayla VanNett, Shania’s older sister, also talked about her sister the basketball player. She said, “Shania and I are five years apart. I knew at a very young age that Shania was going to be special. I myself played basketball at the collegiate level. Shania was always there to watch and absorb everything I did growing up. She kept a basketball in her hands at all times. She would come to my practices to watch and learn and sometimes my coach would throw her in and she could always handle her own.”
Nichols VanNett said, “During my senior year of high school, I was halfway through the basketball season and anxiously waiting for a Division I offer.” “I felt frustrated with myself because, before tearing my ACL and meniscus, I had major Division I schools interested in me, and I was hoping they might reconsider and give me a chance.”
“However, as many know, by that point most Division I programs had already finalized their rosters,” added Nichols-VanNett.
“I decided to follow in my older sister’s footsteps and take the JUCO route,” said Nichols-VanNett. “Unfortunately, the first JUCO I planned to attend rescinded their offer because I committed too late. By then, it was very late in my senior season, and I was nervous I wouldn’t find a school.”
“Thankfully, a family friend connected me to another JUCO, and I ended up at NDSCS, where I had a great season that led me to where I am now. Looking back, I believe everything happens for a reason,” added Nichols VanNett.
“No matter what challenges arise, I’ve learned to keep working hard and never give up,” said Nichols VanNett. “I truly believe it was God’s/Creator’s plan all along.”
