CANTON — The line stretched around the Memorial Field House floor where Kierstan Bell held court as a high school basketball player.
This time Ohio’s only three-time Ms. Basketball winner was at a table meeting and greeting, signing posters, basketballs and shirts and posing for photos. The adults in the line remembered her as McKinley’s greatest girls basketball player. Some of younger girls were just thrilled to meet one of their own who achieved her dream of playing in the WNBA.
Bell returned to her roots Wednesday afternoon at the Field House. It was the first time she held an autograph session on the court where she once played. It likely won’t be the last time.
“I woke up one day and was like ‘I’m going to pick a day and do a meet-and-greet for all the young kids to come out, get a picture and autographs,'” Bell said. “Being in the WNBA, I wanted to show young girls I was where they are and it’s possible.”
Bell recently completed her third season with the Las Vegas Aces. She will soon leave from Africa to play professionally. After returning home, she hopes to have another event at the Field House.
“I want to have a camp when I come back from Africa,” Bell said. “I’m looking to talking with the coach to see when there are good days. I think it would be nice to get in there and work out with the girls.”
Interest in the WNBA was fueled this season by Caitlin Clark’s arrival in Indiana. Attendance was at its highest in 22 years. Viewership across all television platforms hit a record 54 million.
Bell knows it’s a great time to be playing in the WNBA.
“This past year has been great,” Bell said. “A lot of things have changed. Every year we hope things are going to progress. We have a new team (Golden State Valkyries). The WNBA is expanding. It’s just going to continue to help women’s basketball.
“A lot of people are interested in having a WNBA team. There’s a lot of talent out there. It’s too bad that people have to get cut or can’t make a team because there’s not enough spots or not enough money.”
Expansion may even hit home soon. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert’s Rock Entertainment Group announced Wednesday it is pursuing a team for Cleveland.
“I hope they can get one,” Bell said. “That would be nice to come home and maybe play for the hometown.”
A familiar face will be on an opposing sideline next season.
Bell played for former Walsh University women’s basketball coach Karl Smesko at Florida Gulf Coast. Last week Smesko was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Dream.
“He knows how to win no matter where he’s at,” Bell said. “I’m rooting for him and excited for him to come into the league and show everybody what he’s capable of doing.
“They got a good one, and he has a good team right now.”
Bell won championships in her first two seasons with the Aces. Injuries set her back this year. Las Vegas’ bid for a title three-peat also fell short.
Even though her role isn’t as big as it was when she played at the Field House, Bell is thankful to be where she is.
“In the WNBA you want to do things to get a job and keep a job,” Bell said. “You get paid to go out there and play in front of a lot of people.”
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Las Vegas Aces forward Kierstan Bell returns to roots in Canton
