Meet Michelle Franco

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Franco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
My name is Michelle Franco and I am from Chino Hills, CA. I am the daughter of an immigrant mother from Baja Mexico, and a Mexican-Native-American father. Being raised in an affluent city like Chino Hills, I always had a double consciousness view of being part of the middle class but not quite fitting in because of my familial culture. Although I rarely expressed racism, I felt like an outsider in my own community.

When I was 7 I began to play basketball for the local city program. It was through the team that I first got to experience other ethnicities and formed friendships. We would practice in neighboring cities like Pomona and Chino and my sense of self started to grow. It was at the Pomona Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, and local Pomona schools that many of my core memories were created.

Fast forward 29 years and I now find myself back in Pomona working with the youth. What started off as volunteering and providing an after school sports program for members of The CLUB— Youth & Family Club of Pomona Valley, has now turned into a full blown partnership and home of my partner and I’s company, S.L.I.M.E. Academy.

S.L.I.M.E. stands for Successful Life Involves Maintaining Excellence. It our philosophy that success is acquired by being excellent at every step of the process. In a day and age where everything is brushed through with mediocrity, our academy emphasizes the power of mastery and maintaining excellence.

S.L.I.M.E. Academy provides basketball skills training for boys and girls ages 7-18. We focus on fundamental development along with understanding the language of basketball and skills needed for higher level athletics. Our program was created by Melsahn Basabe, University of Iowa men’s basketball alum and 11 year professional basketball player; and Michelle Franco, University of Southern California women’s basketball alum.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career begins with my playing days. I went to high school at Bishop Amat in La Puente, CA. While there I played varsity 4 years for Richard and Kathy Wiard. My coaches helped impart on me my first lessons in excellence. While at Amat, I won 3 CIF and 2 State Championships. I was nominated the McDonald’s All-American game, played in the LA Times All-Star game and was co-mvp of the SGV Tribune All-Star game.

Although I had scholarship offers to other schools, I chose USC, as it was my dream to play for the Trojans. When I entered college, I had a connection to the coaching staff thanks to my club coach Steve K. but an in isn’t a guarantee and it required a lot of sacrifice and hard work to make the team. When I first got my USC jersey, I cried. 5 months later, they rewarded my hard work with a full ride scholarship. I was officially a full ride scholarship player for the Women of Troy.

After college, the lessons I learned from my team and coaching staff helped me immensely. I worked for large organizations like the LA Clippers, Kumho Tires USA in sports and social media marketing, to privatized international basketball schools and much more. Alas in 2023, I was asked to join my first professional basketball staff in Puerto Rico. The BSN or Baloncesto Superior Nacional is the top division of Men’s Basketball in Puerto Rico and I got to coach Demarcus Cousins, Renaldo Balkman, Gary Browne, Mitch Creek and many other great players.

It was during my tenure in Puerto Rico that my dream of starting my own company began.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First Stop: Holey Grail Donuts. As a donut connoisseur, these left me speechless.

Second Stop: Elephante in Santa Monica.

Third Stop: Veniceball at the legendary basketball courts on Venice beach. I play in the women’s league VBL but usually you can find the HoopBus and founder Nico out there bringing joy to the community through hoops!

Fourth Stop: The Raven Spa. Refresh.

Fifth Stop: Ka’Teen DTLA for communal dinner.

Sixth stop: Lost rooftop bar by Issa Rae.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As a former basketball player turned coach, I think homage always starts with the coaching tree. My coaches helped impart everything from basketball knowledge, to life wisdom, and helped me through some dark times. I wouldn’t be the person I am, nor the coach I am today if it wasn’t for them.

So here’s the short list:
Richard Wiard
Michael Cooper
Steve Kavaloski
Chris Gobrecht
Jody & Derek Wynn
Mark Trakh
Irvin Monier
Al Franco
Fred Woods

Thank you 🙏

Website: https://Www.slimeacademybasketball.com

Instagram: Slimeproacademy

Image Credits
@Cxophotofilm
@Eyeofmando