Book: 4th Quarter

Brittani M. Shells is an Author, Basketball Player Development Coach, and serves on the ministerial staff at her Local Church as A Young Adult Minister. In addition, Brittani is a former standout athlete who played for the Women’s Richmond Spiders where she scored over 2,000 points in her collegiate career and currently holds the record for most steals in Women’s Basketball Program History. Brittani continued her basketball career playing Professionally in Israel and Slovakia. After two seasons of playing professional basketball, Brittani decided to hang up her basketball shoes and focus on other ventures – including helping other inspired boys and girls turn their dreams into reality by becoming a basketball player development coach. Brittani has help many kids further their dream of playing in college and beyond. However, it was in her pursuit of developing young athletes that Brittani began her Faith Journey. Although she always considered herself a Christian, in 2024, Brittani fully surrendered her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During her Faith Journey, she planted herself in a local church where she is a M.I.T ( Minister in Training). In addition, she is on the ministerial staff as a Young Adult Minister – helping disciple other young adults in their faith journey!

As a Basketball Development Coach, and former Division 1 athlete, Brittani understands the necessity of training one’s mind and body that involves: exercise, practice, developing defensive strategies, stamina, and physical and mental toughness – all of which to be successful against an opponent. Therefore, given her sports background, Brittani recognized the correlation between Sports and Faith.

Brittani wanted use knowledge and experience as a former basketball player (athlete) to write a 21 – day Sports devotional centered around sports analogies mixed with Bible references and scriptures for athletes from all ages and walks of life. She recognized that the very characteristics of a Christ follower ( Believer) is similar to that of an athlete. It takes mental grit, perseverance, commitment, passion, determination, exercise, practice, rest, and focus. More importantly, it takes having a great Coach – God, to challenge, encourage, and support you, in order to be successful against the Enemy of our souls – Satan. As a believer in Christ similar to an athlete, you will experience peaks and valleys; moments of success and defeat, but it is in the journey where character is produced and where you a called to triumph in Christ Jesus!

In the book of Matthew (Matt. 28:19), we as disciples of Jesus Christ are commissioned to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey everything [Christ] have commanded us.” Therefore, it is Brittani’s passion to share the good news of her Lord, Jesus Christ (who took her out of darkness and brought her into His marvelous light) and to share her hope with others.