Allison Feaster From South Carolina, To Harvard, To The WNBA And Vice President Of The Boston Celtics

Interview with McKenzie Pezze

Tenure: 3 years

Hometown: Chester, South Carolina

At what age did you start playing basketball?

I started playing basketball in the 3rd grade. I played the last two games of a rec league season. I could not make the ball meet the rim when I was shooting free throws. My brother was playing, and I thought I want to do what he does.

Do you still play often or is it more you scratch the itch during practice?

I actually don’t play at all. I retired when I was 40 from playing professionally. After doing so, I somewhat closed the book on playing the game. I recall saying that I got it all out of me from that. It definitely helps to be around the game so much.

Word on the grapevine is you have a nickname your friends call you, is that true? What is it?

It’s true. My nickname is Charlie. My middle name is Sharlene, I think my family just chose to call me Charlie instead of Allison or Sharlene. It made it outside the family when I was at Harvard. We had two or three other Allisons that were walking on or on the team. There was too much confusion.

Who was your most influential Coach and why?

My most influential coach was Kathy Delaney-Smith, my head coach at Harvard. Through her system I really developed some tools and values that I have used throughout my career. One is acting as if your role on the team is the most important role despite the magnitude or lack thereof or perceived magnitude of the role. Another influential coach who will remain nameless showed me what not to do as a leader. The lack of honesty and transparency really was starkly in contrast to most of my other experiences. Both equally influential and beneficial.

Do you implement any of their practices in your day to day?

Kathy taught me a valuable lesson in empathy. Understanding that everyone has a story, and everyone is dealing with circumstances we may not see. You cannot automatically assume or write someone off because he or she isn’t necessarily conforming to the prescribed rules. That was a valuable lesson that I try to apply in what I do now.

Can you explain what exactly your title means? VP of Player Development & Organizational Growth.

I explain it as really being a resource and a guide for our players. To help get them thinking about setting goals and formulating an identity away from basketball. It is about growing personally and professionally. Eventually career wise, unrelated to basketball on the court per say. Try to maximize all the NBA and Celtics have to offer.

You have been a huge part of the brand-new Celtics United initiative at the company, what are your goals for your participation in it all?

This is uncharted territory for everyone, and we are in the early stages now. I want to play my part in helping the organization get behind these very important causes. It is very refreshing to be involved in an organization that wants to use its their resources to make an impact. I want to play a role in whatever way I can to help. Right now, I am a co-lead on the Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement committee. Looking to make whatever impact I can in the space.

It feels like the beginning of the NBA Bubble was forever ago, how does it feel for you? How has it been communicating with your family & friends back home?

I am so thankful that I was able to come in the capacity I did. It has been a tremendous learning experience for me. Outside of the fact I can't see my daughter or my family physically it has been very rewarding. You can’t say enough about our guys, our staff, coaches, trainers; the sacrifice they are making to get the game back on the court and to go for that championship. It has been nothing short of rewarding personally and professionally. I have learned so much and grown a lot since I've been here.

As a former WNBA star, what does it feel like to be on the other side of things after being a professional player for 10+ years?

It really is a dream job to have, if you were a former player, if you are passionate about the game. I am very fortunate to be able to “speak” basketball, I consider that to be a language in itself. While the pressures aren't the same, I can certainly relate to a lot of what the guys go through. That for me is very rewarding to be able to relate to them on the playing level.

What is something you learned from your college experience at Harvard that you utilize now?

Well I think more so I utilize the overall growth experience & opportunity I had at Harvard. It was 4 years of forcing myself outside my comfort zone. Having to adapt, learn and thrive in a new environment. 2020 arrives and there are a lot of unexpected happenings and unknowns, I look back on that experience and certainly feel more prepared having gone through an experience like I did at Harvard to weather what we have all experienced this year.

Can you give us an example of an experience you had to adapt to?

I didn’t always know how I was going to pay for my way there. I had financial aid and scholarships but there was always a little left. I never knew how I was going to get another loan or how my mom could help. It was something we kind of did on faith. I listen to some people go into the bubble experience talk about what great adversity it is to be here or struggle to be here. If you have had any adversity before you know you can get through something like this. Those experiences taught me to have faith and if you work hard something positive is going to happen.

You went from playing pro basketball, to playing pro basketball as a Mom, to now working in pro basketball as a mom, how has all of that transition been for you?

When I was playing, she was always with me. She was born in Spain. After a period of recovery, I went and played in different places. She was always with me. It is just another hat you wear. Once you have this little person that is in your care, you just assume it. I have always taken pride in following in the footsteps of my mom. My mom, who was a working mom, no disrespect to anyone who doesn’t work but this was the best for me and Sarah pursuing my dreams. Hopefully, she can map out her own path but it’s definitely not easy. It’s something that works for our family.

What has been a positive surprise since working at the Celtics?

I’d say the most positive surprise are the people I have encountered. The welcome and the people I encountered since joining the organization. I spent some time learning from the Celtics while working at the NBA in the Basketball Operations Associate Program and recall being moved by the reception. It was only reinforced when coming on as a full-time staff member. People extending a hand and setting me up to be the best teammate I could be.

What is your best off-court memory and on-court memory?

Off- court - either our visit to the Children’s hospital we all did together. Or we had a holiday party for kids. Being on the court at the Auerbach Center playing the games with the kids, delivering gifts, that was pretty awesome. Having all the players & coaches spend the day that way, was pretty powerful.

On- court - I have to say Game 7 vs Toronto. I'm so invested these guys are like my family now. To have several of them make a number of ECFs and rookies being their first. At the end of that game, to greet Kemba with a hug on the way off the court, for his first appearance into Eastern Conference Finals, that was pretty special.

Do you have a favorite aspect of your job? What makes it your favorite?

Day to day it’s probably greeting everyone. We meet daily as a team and it’s going around checking in with the guys and coaches, giving a fist bump. Having that personal contact and to be that initial touchpoint with everyone to me that is foundational in relationship building. That is the best part of my day to day.

Initial reaction when coming into a role like this is programming. If you don't have a relationship with someone or you don’t take time to get to know someone it doesn’t really work. People are less receptive or less likely to be receptive to anything.

Do you have a piece of advice for anyone beginning their mental wellness journey? Those who are currently in it?

Just one piece of advice that I heard from Coach Stevens, it’s something that I will tell some of the guys and something I've heard throughout my career.

Can’t get too high on the highs and can’t get too low on the lows. Finding balance is so important. Part of that is something that Coach Stevens says all the time: resist the noise around you and try to stay centered. That has been really beneficial here and throughout my own personal journey.