Iceman hoopster to tour with pros

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Teresa Sullivan
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
A vehicle operator here never thought she’d be touring with professional basketball players -- especially after choosing the Air Force over a pro career in 2003.

However, that will be the case in two weeks when Airman 1st Class Naomi Mobley, from the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron, will be will be touring with a Women’s National Basketball Association exhibition team, called Everyone’s Internet, for the Houston Comets -- one of the teams she tried out for in 2002.

“This is a great opportunity and I’m excited to have the chance to go play with professional athletes,” said Airman Mobley, a 6-foot-3-inch power forward.

She’ll be the only non-pro on the team, comprised of current WNBA and international professional players. Their whirlwind tour across the United States begins in November. They will play against college teams in Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina and Washington D.C. Teams like Everyone’s Internet play exhibition games in order to serve as practice for NCAA Division I teams prior to the official kick-off of the regular season later this fall.

Just how did an Airman stationed in Alaska get an opportunity like this?

It took talent and good timing. She recently led the Air Force women’s basketball team to its second consecutive Armed Forces tournament championship.

Airman Mobley participated in her second season on the Air Force team. The team played six games in six days at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme, Calif., in October against sister service teams. Their 5-1 record earned them the championship over the Army.

“It feels excellent that our team won,” she said. “All the hard work during the pre-tournament training camp paid off.”

After winning the Armed Forces championship, she was chosen to play on the All-Armed Forces team in the first-ever women’s basketball Conseil International du Sport Militaire World Military Women’s Basketball Championship, also held at Naval Base Ventura. CISM, one of the largest international multi-sport federations, has been operational since 1948 organizing events such as the World Military Championships and the Military World Games. The U.S. team played against other military teams from the Netherlands, Kazakhstan and a team from the Los Angeles Police Department. Once again, Airman Mobley’s team won the championship.

The obvious common denominator in the Air Force’s two Armed Forces women’s basketball tournament championships in a row and one CISM win is Airman Mobley -- the All-Armed Forces Most Valuable Player. Needless to say, she caught the attention of spectators and coaches, which opened more windows of opportunity for her.
“A former Air Force coach of mine, Joyce Jenkins, knows the Houston Comets coach and she knew they needed another player to complete their exhibition team roster,” said the 25-year-old from Jacksonville, Fla. “So she put my name in for it and they picked me. Thankfully my supervisor, Senior Master Sgt. (Mathew) Malenic, was able to allow me time off to take this opportunity.”

Airman Mobley is no stranger to big-time basketball, considering she played three years at the University of Florida (1998-2001) and one year at Shaw University, N.C. (2002-2003). Mobley tried her luck at the professional level, trying out for the Houston Comets and the Los Angeles Sparks WNBA teams. She turned down an offer to play professionally in Korea just before enlisting in the Air Force. Upon entering the Air Force in 2003, she knew she wanted to play for the Air Force Team. For the past two years, she has done just that.

“I really appreciate the opportunities given to me by leadership,” she said. “I would really like to thank all my fellow Airmen in the shop for covering for me while I’m gone and would like to thank the command for allowing me to play and represent the Air Force and the Iceman Team.”

Airman Mobley’s basketball expectations do not stop at the Air Force level. Eventually she would like to play Olympic basketball, setting her sights set on the 2008 games.

“Another goal I have is to continue playing for the Air Force team and to see how far we can push our winning streak. I’d like to play at the professional level someday, but we’ll have to see what the future holds.”

Opportunities like Airman Mobley’s are possible through the Air Force World Class Athlete Program, a two-year program that provides active duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel the opportunity to train and compete at national and international sports competitions with the ultimate goal of selection to the U.S. Olympic team.

Considering her current record, it looks like she is right on track. Not only does the hoopster have aspirations as an athlete, but she also has high hopes as an Airman.

“I love my Air Force career,” she said. “Eventually I’d like to complete my degree and look towards an officer commissioning program.”

For now, Airman Mobley will continue preparing to tour with Everyone’s Internet, fulfilling her dream of playing with professional basketball players.