Nancy Lieberman
For Nancy Lieberman, a good assist could go a long way

Basketball has given me everything—the fame, the fortune, but most importantly, the platform from which to help people. I get what I do: I'm clear about who I am, and I'm enthusiastic about giving back daily.

I am proud of all I have accomplished as a trailblazer, but I never went into career with a blueprint. I still love playing basketball with passion and energy. It comes down to what is most important to me—I'm here to serve others. If I never shoot another bucket, that's who I want to be.

My goal in coaching the Texas Legends (NBA Developmental League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks) was to help my guys become better men. Eighty percent of players in our league won't make the NBA, but I say with confidence my players will be better fathers, husbands and friends.

I must have done something right because my players coached this year at my youth basketball camp in Dallas. And they're always texting me saying they miss me and love me. I'll bet Doug Collins doesn't get that, and he's a great coach! But I'm a coach AND a mother figure. My players trust me. What more can you ask than to have that type of impact?

When I look back on my career, it is often hard to believe it all happened to me. I'm not doing anything my hero Muhammad Ali didn't do for me. He taught me to grasp the vision to be what I can be, have true confidence and work hard. There's nothing wrong with being confident. Just make sure you do something positive with your talent.

I was poor child growing up in a one-parent family in Queens, NY. I didn't have early role models but I always trusted my instincts and they served me in a positive manner.

Basketball saved me because I needed direction. I didn't have a father, so basketball gave me discipline and helped me set priorities. I knew I had to meet the guys at the park after school, and I appreciated that they let me play.

As with everything in life, it's timing. If you asked Joe Namath, Franco Harris or Derek Jeter if they played to be a Hall of Famer, I'd bet they would all say they played 'because it was fun.' We all started playing because it was fun.

My point is, back then I didn't know what this game would give me. I do know it taught me how to compete, how to win and lose, be on time and be a good teammate. I learned to push myself beyond where I thought I could push myself.

I was lucky enough to be at the White House in May 2010 to meet President Obama. As a great basketball fan, he was just as happy to meet me. He said, 'Change is hard, isn't it Nancy?' I said, 'Yes, it is Mr. President.' And he said, 'Nobody would know that more than you.'

So as the first female coach in a men's league, I was confident because I had done this a hundred times. My job was to make it normal. I laughed at how Donnie Nelson—president and general manager of the Texans—said on the Today Show that I was "the right guy for the job." And as the mother of a 6-foot-7, 16-year-old son, I appreciate playing sports for the right reasons. We have to let kids enjoy themselves. That's the message at my camps. If you savor having fun on the court at 12 years old, you will love this game forever.

Nancy Lieberman's book "Playbook for Success: A Hall of Famer's Business Tactics for Teamwork and Leadership" was published in 2010 by Wiley. Read more about it at www.nancylieberman.com/books/