Youth correspondent finds heart over height
Riley Elliott poses with Harlem Globetrotter, “Hot Shot.” {Contributed photo}
When 13-year-old Davidson Local youth correspondent Riley Elliott approached parents Shannon and Chris about going to see the worldwide iconic Harlem Globetrotters, the pint-sized point guard had no idea what was in store. Her “little” nudge for an evening of “ankle-breaking moves, jaw-dropping swag, new drip” twisted into “big” in-person interviews with the Globetrotters after a short conversation with the team’s “Hot Shot.”
Riley is no stranger to celebrities. Her mentoring and friendship with former National Basketball Association (NBA) player, "Muggsy" Bogues were featured on ESPN as well as local media outlets. Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history, provides inspiration to Elliott, who was picked on as the shortest player on the team. She became so interested in Bogues’ story that she asked her parents to wait so she could be at the front of the line for one of his meet-and-greets a few years ago. The two struck up a conversation and the rest is history. Bogues often provides support and advice to Riley.
The Central Davidson Middle School basketball player and cheerleader is also the personality behind The Scoop with Riley Elliott. The segment was created for Davidson Local over the summer and has taken on a life of its own. In addition to a future basketball career, Riley says she wants to be in media when she grows up. Her dreams are of college and the WNBA but right now she hopes to provide inspiration and volunteers with younger children.
Elliott quickly learned that the business isn’t all ice cream and lollipops. Her first official assignment included protestors and some not-so-nice language. She began The Scoop in the heat of a contentious debate about masks in schools with an early August interview with the Davidson County Schools superintendent. “When we pulled up to the event, we saw the protest and I asked if she still wanted to do it. Before I knew it, she was getting out of the car and introducing herself to the protestors.”
Elliott plans to share stories from a unique youth perspective and will often end with “What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?” Some would say she’s a natural on and off camera.
Elliott was off duty when she went to see the Globetrotters. “I asked my parents to take me to the game because they make people smile and laugh.” She caught a fast-break when standing in line to meet Jahmani “Hot Shot” Swanson.
According to the Globetrotters, “Swanson was born with dwarfism, a genetic condition, but it didn’t keep him from following his passion. He was first introduced to basketball as a toddler and grew up idolizing NBA legend Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson.” Elliott was drawn to Swanson because “I am also super little.” The Globetrotters site mentions, “When Swanson is not playing basketball, he enjoys speaking with kids and encouraging them to follow their dreams. He has such a passion for kids that he sees himself becoming a social worker after his playing career to help families and children.”
The whole Elliott family stood in line to meet “Hot Shot,” and when head coach Barry Hardy walked by, he agreed to a quick interview in which he answers Riley’s question about what it feels like to be the coach of the Harlem Globetrotters.
Elliott also scored an interview with “Dr. Broke Ankles,” who makes appearances on the court when a player’s crossover skills cause the defender to lose balance. Davidson County Commissioner Chris Elliott caught the eye of Ankles due to a cast on his foot that was garnered during a practice session with Riley’s basketball team in which Chris was allegedly playing in flip-flops. Chris and Ankles made a emphasizing the importance of proper shoe wear.
As the group continues its “Spreading Game” tour, the site says it all. “[It] is so much more than half court shots. It delves deeper than the between the legs, behind the back dribble or the no-look pass. It could be the tiniest speck of light, laughter and love.”
Riley said the experience was unforgettable. “When I was walking away, ‘Hot Shot’ said, ‘Just remember heart over height,’ which is something Bogues says during coaching sessions.” The budding reporter shared the story on her page The Scoop with Riley in hopes to bring a little inspiration to others. “What made me want to interview [them] was seeing the impact on everyone. How they can make people laugh and everybody smile. I want to see people smile.”
Look for more from Riley at The Scoop and on Davidson Local.
