Our Story
Why did you start shelete?
FOR HER
The little girl with big dreams. Playing ball in her backyard with her dad. Dreaming of starting varsity, playing college ball, being in the WNBA.
She doesn’t have the fanciest indoor court, but she has the heart of a dreamer, a fighter, and she will outwork everyone else around her.
She only needs a ball, a hoop, and to believe in herself.
I am that girl in the picture. I was a dreamer and spent many hours on that backyard pavement with my dad, dreaming of my moment in the spotlight.
I created shelete so those girls dreaming on backyard courts would be proud to play like a girl. So those girls would have apparel that they were excited to put on and go chase after those dreams.
Shelete is for the hoopers, young and old. For the mom’s in the stands and behind closed doors helping their daughters reach their goals. Shelete is for all the girls who are proud to look you in the eye and say, “I PLAY LIKE A GIRL!”
I created shelete because it’s about time the big dreams of all these girl hoopers out there match what they can buy to wear.
Here’s to all the dreamers out there on courts working hard when no one else is watching.
MEET THE FOUNDER
Darcee here! Thanks for joining the SHELETE family and helping us spread the play like a girl movement. Basketball has been in my life ever since I can remember. As soon as I could dribble a ball, that’s all I wanted to do. Born and raised an Oregon girl. Oregon is where I developed my love and passion for the game. I was never afraid to be the only girl on the court playing, and took pride in playing like a girl. 4 years playing at Redmond High school, then onto D1 college ball in Utah. Utah has been my home base ever since. My husband and I now love chasing our 3 kids to their various basketball games. We are a basketball loving family!
I was tired of walking into stores and not being able to find feminine basketball shorts, so I decided to create Shelete. I wanted Shelete to be a place girls could come and find apparel they loved to wear on and off the court. I am proud to play like a girl when I step on the court and want every girl who puts on Shelete clothes to feel the same.
"As a high school basketball coach, I had the fortunate opportunity to coach, Darcee. I observed her growing up developing athletic skills as a point guard in rural Oregon. Her hard work paid off as she was ultimately recognized as a prestigious Oregonian 1st Team All-State Player her senior year. A scholarship to play Division I Basketball followed. In between the lines, Darcee played with grit, tenacity, competitiveness, intelligence, and impeccable sportswomanship. When the last buzzer sounded, she modeled kindness, grace, and team/family first. She embodied what it meant to, “Play Like A Girl”, and she continues to do so today as a loving mother and wife."
- Coach Wes Owens
