From the Court to the Community: Shaunzinski Gortman is Empowering the Next Generation
Former WNBA star, international athlete, and South Carolina Gamecocks Hall of Famer Shaunzinski Gortman has traded fast breaks and game-winners for something even more impactful — changing lives off the court.
Through her nonprofit organization, SC Infinite Dreams (I.D.R.E.A.M.S.), Gortman is using basketball as a springboard to help young women unlock their full potential. Her mission? To motivate, inspire, and empower girls through sports, academics, and community service — shaping them into strong leaders both on and off the court.
I.D.R.E.A.M.S. teaches more than just basketball fundamentals. The organization equips girls with life skills, leadership training, academic support, and a focus on health and wellness. The core belief is simple but powerful: everyone has the ability to dream, plan, and build their own future.
In just 8 years, I.D.R.E.A.M.S. has impacted over 400 young female athletes, and the results speak volumes. Since graduating its first class in 2016, the program has helped 7 girls earn athletic scholarships and 16 secure academic scholarships. Currently, 43 student-athletes are working toward their own dreams of higher education — with Gortman and her team cheering them on every step of the way.
But Gortman’s dedication doesn’t stop there. As a Deputy Sheriff in Richland County’s Youth Services Department, she also serves on the front lines, advocating for at-risk youth and families across the community she calls home.
Now, she’s expanding her reach through a new global alliance that connects child care centers, nonprofits, and community organizations — all to offer free training, mentorship, and STEM-focused education for underserved youth.
And in recognition of her life-changing work, Gortman has been honored with something extraordinary: her very own national holiday. The National Day Calendar has officially declared December 19th as National iDream Day — a day dedicated to uplifting underprivileged, at-risk, and underserved youth across the country.
From hoops to hope, Shaunzinski Gortman is proving that when you combine passion with purpose, dreams don’t just take flight — they change the world.
