This month and in the future, the Mavs will continue to elevate the experiences and perspectives of Black players, coaches, employees, entertainers and fans through various activations and community events. We also continue to shine the spotlight on a new era of young Black men and women trailblazing a path for future generations to follow.
Brittany Myricks is enjoying her second NBA season with the Dallas Mavericks D-Town Crew, and the former collegiate sprinter is showing young girls how they can be athletes and dancers. The native of Ontario, Calif., is one of the Mavs’ captains this season, and she’s the daughter of two professional sports stars. Her mother Arnita was one of America’s top 100-meter hurdlers during the 1980s and early ’90s, and her father Larry is a four-time Olympian who won a bronze medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Myricks is a wedding planner and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of New Mexico. She is proud to stand as a young Black woman who has the fortitude to follow all of her dreams and never place a limit on what can be possible. She learned from the generations that stood before her.
“Every time I walk out on that court with my teammates to do what I love to do, those are the moments that I feel the strongest because those are the moments I prayed for,” Myricks said. “Those are the moments I asked God for, those are the moments I am so grateful for.”
Mavs.com caught up with Myricks to learn more about her life…
CAREER: Wedding Planner
COLLEGE: Mt. San Antonio College & University of New Mexico
Mavs.com: Hi Britt! Before we talk about Black History Month, can you share more about your life with our fans?
Myricks: I have had a very blessed life and I don’t take that for granted for a moment. I grew up in Southern California and from an early age I have always been exposed to athletic programs and being active. I was born into a track and field family as both my parents were professional track and field athletes and that was the path that I ventured down as well. I ran track in high school, at my community college, Mt. San Antonio College (Go Mounties!) and went on to receive a full scholarship as a sprinter to The University of New Mexico (Go Lobos!)
Mavs.com: It’s an extraordinary accomplishment to be a collegiate athlete. How did that eventually transition into dance and ultimately lead you to the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks?
Myricks: As a student athlete, my time at Mt. Sac and UNM was priceless. I had amazing experiences, met unforgettable people, learned about myself and my gifts. After four years in college, I graduated Magna Cum Laude. Even though my time was dedicated to track and field I never forgot my love of dance. I moved out to Dallas in 2017 and I have loved being here ever since.
The week I moved, I immediately immersed myself in dance classes from so many different teachers. I learned different styles and had to relearn a few more dance basics to make a professional dance team out here in Dallas.
Fast forward and my hard work paid off as I was on the Allen Americans Ice Angels for two seasons under Stephanie Dibiase and was named one of the four captains my second year. She has been one of the people I am incredibly blessed to know as she has been an amazing coach and director, a great friend to me, a mentor and even a mama bear! I am so excited and honored to be on the Dallas Mavericks D-Town Crew and hope to continue to be a great teammate and leader on this team for the next few years!
Mavs.com: What has been your experience since joining the Crew? When do you come alive and feel the strongest?
Myricks: Since the inaugural season of D-Town back in 2020, it has been a crazy ride! With Covid-19, there have been highs and lows on this team. However, to still be a part of this and to see where the program is today, with people who become my family, is the greatest thing ever and something I do not take for granted.
Every time I walk out on that court with my teammates to do what I love to do, those are the moments that I feel the strongest because those are the moments I prayed for. Those are the moments I asked God for, those are the moments I am so grateful for.
Mavs.com: Each February, the Dallas Mavericks and NBA community come together to celebrate Black History Month and the incredible leaders in the game like you. What does Black History mean to you?
Myricks: What Black History means to me, is to simply defy the odds. Defy the odds and show people that you can do WHATEVER you want in this life. Defy the odds and make a name for yourself in WHATEVER industry you want. We might have darker and more diverse skin tones but we are just as talented, just as smart, just as special, just as important, just as deserving to have a life that we could once only dream of. That is what our great ancestors have done, that is what our families have done and are still doing and we need to make a vow that that is what we will continue to do. Defy the odds against us.
Mavs.com: On that note, who is a Black man or woman that has inspired you the most? Who gets your Lifetime Achievement Award and why did they have such a profound impact on your life?
Myricks: The one person that would get the Lifetime Achievement Award in my life would have to be my mom. I have always seen her work so incredibly hard to make my life the very best it can be and I can’t thank her enough for that. Seeing her going for her dreams and aspirations despite the color of her skin or the circumstances she was presented spoke volumes in my life. She is always in my corner, always on my side and is my biggest cheerleader. I can only hope to be half as amazing as the woman she is. Love you mom!
Mavs.com: We love her now, too! If there is a young person reading this who aspires to follow your footsteps, what’s your advice for them?
Myricks: One thing that I will preach till I am blue in the face is — it’s never too late to start! I was not that girl who had been dancing since she was two and had a dance coach etc. Nope. I started dance in high school, and it was my junior year of high school to be exact. I took one dance class and knew that dance was something that I loved. It was something I loved regardless of not knowing correct body placement, dance terminology and not necessarily looking the part.
I knew I had rhythm and I could learn so I continued in classes. It was definitely not an easy journey though. Starting late meant I had to learn everything that other ladies already had instilled in them from a young age. I was confident enough to be uncomfortable and that was huge for me. You had these beautiful, dainty but powerful young ladies who made leaps, turns and moves look effortless.
Then you had me, who looked like I should be at the track and not in the studio trying to mimic the same moves. I felt like a bull in a china shop. But I kept going and kept working and to my surprise — I made the varsity dance team at my high school! I actually quit the track team to make the dance team! Moral of the story, if you want to do something that you’re passionate about: don’t let age or your lack of knowledge hold you back. Do what you want to do and make sure you strive to be the best at it.
Mavs.com: What has been your experience as a Black athlete or performer in the dance industry? What can we do better to encourage a new generation of young Black boys and girls to pursue their dreams in this industry?
Myricks: It has been amazing but has been more of a battle internally than a struggle from other people making me feel a certain way. I had internal battles that I didn’t look like the other ladies, or my body type wasn’t as feminine as others or I was more muscular, ect. But I finally came to terms with it and just learned to be comfortable in my own skin. That was very key for me. Knowing that I am not like the other ladies and embracing that was a game changer. What we can do better to encourage this new generation is to reassure them that they can be just as great as the next person. It’s about confidence knowing they can be amazing that is important.
Mavs.com: Finally, a little self-reflecting here, but what do you consider is your gift to the world?
Myricks: I think just being a light in the world is enough to make myself proud. I always remember that what makes me different and unique isn’t anything that I’ve done. It is what God has done for me and through me. I am most proud when I am able to let His light shine through me, because at the end of the day I wouldn’t be where I am without my faith. We say prayers before we perform and my favorite prayer is “Lord, let your light shine through us. Remove us and let people see You.”
Share and comment