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Bountiful • Fremont guard Shelbee Molen smiled at the question, her weight shifting from her left foot to her right as she answered.
How is it that Molen is so polished on the floor, a trait easily identifiable as she weaves her way through the court? Her motions, unlike many girls players, are sleek and in control. Her shot is fluid, the ball leaving her fingers from the same release point each time.
"I've been playing pretty much since birth," she said. "My mom is huge into basketball and has coached my whole life. I've been around it for as long as I can remember."
Molen isn't the only one who can trace her basketball lineage to her mother. When Fremont coach Lisa Dalebout was younger, Molen's mother coached Dalebout's AAU team. It is that experience that allows Dalebout to understand just how Molen has become one of the most polished players in the state.
"I don't know anybody who loves basketball more than Shelbee's mom," Dalebout said. "So Shelbee literally has been shooting since she was little. She maintains that regiment every single day. Her free throws are silky, and she's flat-out the best 3-point shooter I've ever coached. I'm almost amazed by it."
Basketball is not just a passion shared by Molen and her mother. All her family members love the sport. There's the older sister who also played at Fremont. Molen looks up to her and relishes following in her footsteps.
"She's really good at shooting," Molen said. "I like to play H-O-R-S-E and stuff with her because she gives me a really good challenge."
Then there is her 12-year-old brother, whose basketball career still is young. And even her cousins love the game, meaning competitive pick-up games inevitably break out at family parties.
"I mean, we really love basketball at my house," Molen said, smiling. "It's always fun to get together and play."
As good as Molen has become, molded by a lifetime of her basketball surroundings, Dalebout believes the junior only will continue to improve. An increasing tenacity on the court and growing body has made her better at crashing the boards and playing lock-down defense.
"I've known Shelbee since she was way little," Dalebout said. "So I've watched her kind of develop. She was always an incredible shooter and competitor, but what's changed this year is she can rebound the ball really hard and play great defense. She's gotten stronger and has a better frame."
Molen's lifetime of basketball has reaped many rewards in the form of bonds shared with her family. But it also has brought other dividends. She has committed to BYU, and when she becomes a Cougar, it will be a dream come true for her and the rest of her family.
"BYU has been my dream," Molen said. "My family loves BYU, so it's been the thing I've been working toward since I was little. It's really awesome to get that opportunity."
Twitter: @BubbaSLTrib —
Shelbee Molen
School • Fremont
Year • Junior
Position • Guard
College commit • BYU