Shantay Legans began his ascent in organized basketball at the Goleta Boys & Girls Club after he had been banned from other youth gyms in the area.
“I had the worst attitude when I was 10, 11 years old,” Legans confessed. “I got kicked out of Eastside, Westside, Carpinteria.” He found a savior in Sal Rodriguez, the legendary director of the Goleta club. “Sal loved me for all my faults. He saw the good stuff too.”
Rodriguez said, “In the 2nd or 3rd grade, he was so quick, dribbling with both hands. I thought, ‘This guy’s got skills.’ He did talk trash. He’s never been shy.”