Shock's Crossley Gets Fresh Start in Tulsa

Originally Published: Jun 8, 2010 5:55 PM CDT

Kyle Dierking
Oklahoma Sports MOJO

TULSA, Oklahoma - The athletic tape is there.

A reminder? Maybe.

A symbol of what Shanna Crossley’s been through?

Most definitely.

"A lot of people count you out, write you off and think your done that you can't come back and play anymore," Crossley said.

There was the torn labrum in her right shoulder in '07, the next year the ACL went in her left knee, then last season it was that same knee, only this time it was a meniscus.

Each injury put her through a bit of a basketball exile.

"It was rough for me - I didn't know how to experience it, how to handle it," Crossley said.

Between those injuries and playing in mostly a back-up role for four years in San Antonio, Crossley came at a crossroads when the Shock wanted to trade for her in the offseason.

"My first reaction was, 'I don't want to play in Tulsa' because I was so comfortable in San Antonio. My husband and I had a house there, had a great church family, had a great relationship with our friends,” Crossley said. “It was more than just basketball that kept me in San Antonio."

A recent Sports Illustrated story on the Shock was titled city of second chances. While that was mostly directed toward Shock coach Nolan Richardson and Marion Jones, Crossley can't help but feel she's gotten a fresh start too.

Crossley is one of two players to start all seven games for the Shock and she’s averaging nearly 12 points and three assists per game.

"It's a different city, a completely different game, completely different team. It's definitely a second chance to show what I can do," Crossley said.