WABA All-Star and Jr. NBA Coach Arianna Emanuel-Wright Talks About Her Love for Basketball, Her Other Career Passion, and Working with Young Athletes

Growing up as the only girl playing basketball at recess with the boys prepared Ari Emanuel-Wright for the future.  The WABA All-Star is now a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She works as a coach for the Jr. NBA leading young athletes. She created her own brand AK1 to motivate fellow athletes to achieve greatness.

While pursuing her passion in basketball, Emanuel-Wright also runs her own consulting business helping others find their passions in life. Sports As Told By A Girl spoke with Ari about all that she has accomplished and all that she still hopes to accomplish.

Where did your love of basketball develop?

In 5^th grade, one of my guy friends asked me to play basketball with the other guys during recess. It was a scary feeling – I didn’t even think he was serious in that moment. Other than him, it was a rough experience participating in those basketball games every day. Those guys did not take it easy on me – they were aggressive, talked a bunch of crap, and did not treat me like some girl. When they noticed that I wasn’t giving up, they respected me greatly and during this time I truly developed a love for the game.

What was one of the biggest highlights in your basketball career thus far?

Definitely in 2021 when I received an All-Star selection for the Women’s ABA. At the time, it was my first season playing semi-professional basketball and I had to put a lot of work in because I hadn’t played organized basketball since graduating college in 2019. It felt amazing to know that consistency and resiliency pays off and that you can never count yourself out.

What is the inspiration behind your brand AK1?

Being the next big thing. I am not afraid to take risks and being a Black woman, no one is going to hold your hand and expect you to succeed. This brand is a representation of excellence and will motivate athletes to strive for greatness and show off their style in a unique way while playing their sport. Check out the brand website here: www.theak1brand.com 

When you’re not on the court, you are a career consultant. What made you want to help others find their purpose?

Great question. For me, I enjoy providing career guidance to others because I wish I would have had the same services as a high school student and during college. It is so important: resume building, starting the foundation of your career, exerting confidence during an interview, effectively networking, and the list goes on. In my business, Authentic, Reliable, Innovative: Career Consulting, LLC, I focus on establishing and maintaining relationships with all my clients. They feel welcome and supported and know that even if they don’t know where to start, we can work together to get them where they want to be in their career.

What are some of your favorite hobbies off the court?

Writing poetry, watching dystopian movies, coaching youth, and traveling to unique areas of the world (have been to Athens, Greece, Aruba, Sint Maarten).

Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?

In 5 years, I’ll be 30 years old – wow. I see myself continuing to invest in myself intellectually by learning new techniques for my career consulting business and youth coaching ventures, AK1 being a top brand for athletes, and being involved with the game of basketball; whether that be as a player or from an operations standpoint.

How did you get involved with the Jr. Wizards? What impact do you hope to have on young athletes?

I reached out to the Coordinator of the Jr. Wizards by email with my resume attached and explained why I was interested in the opportunity to get involved with the organization. Now, I serve as a Youth Basketball Coach and have helped facilitate clinics with the Capitol City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards, and will do more camps this summer with the Washington Mystics. In terms of impact, my technique is to be patient, honest, and dedicated. Kids want to have someone in their life that is consistent, isn’t afraid to challenge them, and someone that believes in their abilities. They don’t know what the future holds yet, so they are ready to take the world by storm. At the same time, you have a huge responsibility to be careful about how you support them because they are very impressionable and most of the time, they will take your word for it. So, if you say they can’t do it or that they don’t have what it takes, that can be detrimental to their sense of self-worth. My goal is to be the very best version of myself so that I can effectively impact them! 

What is your best advice to young women who want to pursue athletics?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and be assertive. It is a very male dominated industry, and we need more women out there that are willing to show up and show out.