MG Chamberlain had a few extra things for which to be thankful when she sat down to Thanksgiving dinner. For the first time in nearly three years, the junior forward for the Mississippi University for Women women’s basketball team could talk about basketball in a positive way.
Getting to that point had been a journey through a gauntlet that challenged her love of the game, a game she has played since she was 4 years old.
The native of Brighton, Tennessee, has barely put down a basketball since. Growing up just outside of Memphis, she spent hours watching University of Memphis basketball at the feet of her fraternal grandmother, Lula Smith, who was a big Tigers fan.
The duo bonded over UM basketball to the point that, as a youth, Chamberlain gave an “oral commitment” to her grandmother to play college basketball during one of their watch parties.
Chamberlain excelled from recreation to church leagues before playing high school and AAU/club ball, and her skills grew to the point that an NCAA Division I career was nearing reality.
But during her junior season at Brighton High School, Chamberlain tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. The damage was significant enough to end her season at a time when most NCAA schools were doing their heaviest recruiting.
Her chances at major college basketball effectively doomed by the ACL tear, Chamberlain was fortunate to have a father who coaches basketball and knew the ins and outs of recruiting. John Smith gave his daughter the idea of writing letters to every college within 300 miles of Memphis, explaining her situation.
Freed-Hardeman University — an NAIA school in Henderson, Tennessee — was the first to respond. After Chamberlain came back from surgery and had a successful senior season as a prep, she was offered a basketball scholarship to FHU.
Things were back on track for Chamberlain to keep that promise to her grandmother, “Mama Lou,” to play college basketball. Or so it seemed.
But Chamberlain was dealt a gut punch during workouts at FHU when she tore the meniscus cartilage in that same left knee to end what would have been her freshman campaign. After surgery and another stint of rehabbing her left knee, she looked to her sophomore year of college to make a return to basketball.
It was not meant to be. In a cruel twist of fate in preseason workouts, Chamberlain blew out the ACL in her right knee while setting a screen. No one had to tell her what happened; she recognized the feeling immediately.
FHU, which had undergone a coaching change and had a very limited plan for trying to utilize Chamberlain, was no longer an option for her, and she was without a hoops home. Add in the fact that she was preparing for a June 2021 wedding to high school sweetheart Nicholas Chamberlain, and it was time to shift gears.
She began to look at everything with more of an outward perspective; her purpose switched from personal accomplishments to a goal to inspire.
“I knew how intense the first surgery went,” Chamberlain said about considering giving up on basketball. “I knew I was capable of getting through it and coming back — I did it the first time — but when is the point I need to say, ‘I’m done.’ I really prayed about it.
“I was like, maybe I can reach out to somebody (in a similar situation); maybe I’m meant to come here and spread the word here. Maybe there’s something bigger than myself.”
Her then-fiance Nicholas, a member of the U.S. Air Force, was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base as an air traffic controller. He casually mentioned that there was a college in town for his bride to consider: Mississippi University for Women.
The idea had merit to MG. Had she gone to another college, she likely would have been a newlywed living apart from her husband. That prompted a call to Drew Johnson, head women’s basketball coach at The W.
“I emailed coach Drew, and he said, ‘Send me some highlight tapes,’” Chamberlain recalled. “He said, ‘We want you here, and we have a varsity spot for you if you want to play.’ Coach Drew has literally taken me under his wing. He’s given me the opportunity to play. I thought my career was over, and it wasn’t because I wanted it to be over.”
Johnson was entering his third season with the Owls and looking to build a program after COVID canceled all but three games of the 2020-21 season. Johnson saw something Chamberlain could add to the mix for his 2021-22 roster.
“MG has gotten better every single day,” Johnson said. “She has one of the best work ethics I’ve ever seen, and it’s become contagious within our team. She was voted a captain by her teammates, and for good reason. She’s a true leader by example, and I can’t say enough about her grit, determination and courage.”
The situation truly was a win-win. Chamberlain would get to continue her basketball career, get an education and be with her husband. The Owls would get some much-needed experience and leadership for their frontcourt while adding an inspirational personality to the student population.
But getting Chamberlain ready for collegiate competition was a process, one that meant a type of commitment different from that of her teammates. With both knees needing regular attention, she has to spend time before practices and games making sure everything is loose and ready. She then remains in the training room long after the simple bumps and bruises of her fellow Owls have been treated.
Considering the close relationship she has built up with athletic trainers and physical therapists over the years — along with her desire to be a beacon to others suffering physical hardships — it should be no surprise that Chamberlain chose to be a kinesiology major at The W, studying to one day become a physical therapist.
And as if finding a home for her basketball and educational aspirations wasn’t enough, one remarkable event was in store to add to Chamberlain’s amazing story. After nearly 1,000 days (991 to be exact), her return to a basketball floor would be in Memphis, where The W was scheduled to play Rhodes College on Nov. 12 to open the season. It was a complete scheduling coincidence, according to Johnson, but he isn’t ruling out some divine intervention.
Anyone at the contest — or watching the live stream — might have noticed a rather large and boisterous group of family and friends in the crowd rooting for MG Chamberlain.
“Honestly, I was so scared,” Chamberlain said of that first game back. “I was so nervous. I don’t even know if I knew where I was. My family got there early and I met them, and I bawled and got all my tears out early. We all bawled together. Then I had to re-focus because we still had a game.”
For the record, Chamberlain scored 11 points in the game. She didn’t jump like she once could — a knee brace and support devices made sure of that — so she learned to box out better. Things were harder and less-than-fluid for the Owls’ post player, but from the moment the referee tossed the opening jump ball and Chamberlain was once again on a basketball floor, a journey was complete. Everything to be added since that day will be an epilogue.
“I keep reminding myself that I’m playing thankful when I get out (on the court), because I didn’t get to do that the past few years,” Chamberlain said. “I’m thankful to be here and playing. I’m happy I get to spend time with teammates I enjoy playing with.”
And for being able to fulfill a promise a little girl made many years before to Mama Lou.
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