ABOUT PG Valor
Our History and More!
History
In 2006 Ms. Smith had previously assisted the owner of the former Baltimore Pearls Basketball Team with marketing and development. However, after the owner was unable to maintain the team's financial obligations, the team was no longer in existence. LaDonna tried diligently to reach the owner to inquire about acquiring the team.
In 2015 Finally, LaDonna was able to reach the newly reestablished owner of the American Basketball Association (ABA) League and after an awesome conversation, both LaDonna and the owner were confident about the potential of the PG Valor Basketball Team.
The PG Valor Basketball Team was established in 2015, by Prince George's County Native LaDonna M. Smith, after she followed the voice of God while watching the NBA Play Offs.
There were 3 tryouts throughout the PG County area since the County is large and widespread. The dates were:
8.5 (only 6 people attended)
8.26 (almost 4x as many people attended)
9.1 Call backs and final evaluation of those who made it (pictures to be posted soon)
Our coaches deserve most of the credit for recruiting and acquiring players! Our team is that much better because of their leadership.
In 2016 PG Valor Basketball team made it to the division playoffs
5 players were drafted overseas
In 2018 PG Valor Basketball team won the Division Championship
3 players were drafted for the ABA Gold
1 player Mike Miller participated in the ABA All star game in Pittsburgh, PA
our coach was inducted in to the UMES Hall of Fame
As of 2021 (not in order)
14 players overseas/Called up for G League
Sebastian Opon
Brandon Peel
Lenjo Kilo (G-League)
Winston "Stretch" Veney
Gerald Jackson
Darious Clark
Tracey Nelson
Christopher Lee
Torrey Fassett (Ice Cube 3-on-3 draft invite)
Listed below is the team behind the PG Valor Basketball Team
We are still looking for dedicated, professionals to join our Front Office team.
If you are interested, please contact us at pgvalorbasketball@gmail.com
FRONT OFFICE
Owner
LaDonna M.
Smith
You may have seen or heard the name LaDonna M. Smith on your bookshelf; TV; radio; or in your neighborhood. Known for writing books and creating successful events, LaDonna is no stranger to business and success. She owns her own book publishing company where she has already self published two books: I Married Satan; and Oh! Is That Why I'm Still Single? Others including Hannah's Song: A Musical Approach to Potty Training will be released in the near future.
LaDonna M. Smith is a native of Fairmount Heights MD. She is the owner of her company Philatonian Productions which also includes Fire and Words Publishing . She has worked with several radio stations and shows; the Black Writer’s Guild of Maryland, Inc. as the Events Coordinator and Board Member on the Board of Directors. She has also served as the President and Vice President of the Maryland’s Writer’s Association (Bmore Chapter).
Basketball Life: Although LaDonna has never played organized basketball, she is no stranger to it. Because of her family's love for it and many of them playing for teams, and serving in the capacity of leadership to include commissioners of leagues, she was and is constantly surrounded with the game. Ms. Smith has also assisted the then Baltimore Pearls Semi Pro Basketball team with marketing and promotion. After the team disembarked LaDonna inquired several times about acquiring the Pearls. However, while watching the 2015 NBA Playoff game the unction to inquire about the Pearls came to LaDonna again. She sent an email to inquire. A few days later Joe Newman phoned her back and they discussed the venture. And upon hanging up the phone, LaDonna began researching and developing the PG Valor Basketball Team.
There is no doubt that with the connections and network of people; organizations and more surrounding LaDonna-the PG Valor Basketball Team-Prince George's County Maryland's first Professional Basketball Team is going to not only be a strong but withstanding branch of the ABA League.
In 2017 Ms. Smith was asked and accepted the position of Assistant Division Chair of our division and served from 2017-18. Also 2021.