Newly retired from an 11 year WNBA Career, 3-Time WNBA All-Star Marie Ferdinand-Harris, jumpstarted the Marie Ferdinand Basketball School of Excellence Academy and The Marie Ferdinand Foundation which was created as a testimony to her personal story of how she used sports as a vehicle to earn a scholarship to play for LSU.  Marie Ferdinand Foundation’s mission is to “Teach kids to win in Life, not just in Sports”.   Marie believes that students of all skill levels can benefit from this experience, proven to enhance athletic aptitude and life attitude.  The Foundation is geared towards instilling basketball fundamentals, educates on the importance of healthy eating/healthy living, character building and sportsmanship, teaches young girls how to be strong women, promotes social skills/social awareness, and ministry outreach. 

In 2001, Ferdinand-Harris was selected as the 8th pick of the WNBA Draft to the Utah Stars who later became the San Antonio Sliver Stars where she was a 3-time All-Star and still holds the record for career steals with 246. Marie Ferdinand was always known as synonymous with the game of basketball. She was a versatile shooting guard who can slash to the basket and break down any opponent.  Marie later signed with Los Angeles Sparks as a free agent in early 2008, to play alongside of WNBA great Lisa Leslie.  Marie served as a key contributor on both the offensive and defensive end in her three seasons with the Sparks. In 2011, Marie ended her career as a pivotal member of the Phoenix Mercury.  In 2010, the "Marie Ferdinand Basketball School of Excellence” was created to provide an experience for youth that is rewarding and effective. It teaches the individual life skills that can be applied to the basketball court as well as to the youth’s daily life experience.

Marie now lives in San Antonio and is passionate about instilling life skills and basketball fundamental Development in the San Antonio community.  As a member of the Mayor Fitness Council she was chosen as one of the leaders to help transform San Antonio into a healthier and more active community. Her leadership and athletic abilities have catapulted her from a collegiate Hall of Fame superstar at Louisiana State to a 3-Time WNBA All-Star! She is one of only three LSU players to record at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals in her career and her name will forever remain in the LSU Sports Hall of Fame for her successes.  Marie has been selected on the list of Haitian American CHANGEMAKERS and ones to watch.  Marie is still the only Haitian American to ever play in the WNBA.