Former Seattle Prep Star D.J. Fenner on Hoops, Hustle, and High School
From Seattle Prep to an international pro career, D.J. Fenner reflects on his basketball journey.
When D.J. Fenner looks back on his high school career at Seattle Prep, the first thing that comes to mind is the tears.
Back in 2012, Fenner played in the Class 3A state championship game against Rainier Beach. The Panthers lost by three points.
“I just remember crying so hard because I had never wanted something so badly in my life,” said Fenner, who is currently playing in Lithuania and is this week’s guest on Spilled Ink.
That game featured Fenner (who played at Nevada), Anrio Adams (who went to Kansas), and Mitch Brewe (who played at UC Santa Barbara). Fenner finished with 26 points, but the loss stung.
“I wanted it so bad,” he said. “I gave it my all.”
Fenner, the son of former Seattle Seahawks running back Derrick Fenner, went on to lead Nevada to a Mountain West Conference championship in 2017 and has been playing professionally overseas ever since.
“It’s still awesome, man,” Fenner said. “I still get to play against a lot of great players I remember from college and the pros.”
As Spilled Ink evolves, my goal is to create a historical repository of great sports moments while also connecting with the athletes who created that magic and seeing where they are now.
That was the case in the last episode with former Stanwood and University of Washington standout Ryan Appleby, and it has been a common thread in many episodes so far.
Fenner’s journey has taken him all over, from Seattle to Washington, D.C., back to Seattle, and now around the world, traveling with his wife, Mallory, and their three children. He’s learned how to adapt, a skill that has served him well with every move as he balances basketball and family life.
In the offseason, he gives back to the Seattle basketball community. Like many local standouts, he finds something special in mentoring the next generation. Fenner said watching young players grow brings him more satisfaction than playing itself, similar to Seattle Prep girls basketball coach Talia Walton, who recently said last week’s district title meant more than anything she accomplished in her own playing career, including helping Washington reach the Final Four.
Fenner shared some great stories and valuable insights into his journey. If you love basketball – especially Seattle basketball – this episode is worth a listen.