My love for basketball began by watching and playing the game with my siblings. 

Watching my oldest sister, Phoebe, and the University of Regina Cougars’ women’s basketball team compete in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including winning a national championship in 2001, was special. They were skilled both offensively and defensively, well-coached and played with such intensity and teamwork that it fuelled my desire to play. 

Playing basketball at the highest levels requires an incredible commitment of time, hard work, and discipline outside of scheduled practice times. For me, it was typically a solitary exercise. 

This involved countless early mornings and late nights working out and working on my game. I feel it’s easy for some people to think it has always been smooth sailing, but the daily grind is real and hard. I’m sure many high-performance athletes would agree that it takes more than talent to be successful and that grind can be a lonely affair sometimes.  The support of my family and friends during some of the moments when I couldn’t spend as much time with them was so appreciated. I couldn’t have done it without them. 

My dream was to play basketball at the highest levels like Division I, Team Canada and the NBA. The additional work outside of what’s expected is so important to being ready for those opportunities. 

When I was being recruited to play Division I with the Colorado State University (CSU) Rams program, I jumped at the opportunity. With the help of my sister Patricia, who was an NCAA volleyball athlete, I was able to learn about the recruitment process through her prior experiences. From the moment I turned off I-25 into the city of Fort Collins on my official visit, I felt right at home. Choosing CSU would later become one of the best decisions and blessings in my life. 

Although I didn’t play much in my first year, I was able to become a solid contributing member of the team during the remaining years in the program. Balancing a difficult degree with playing demands and trying to get involved around campus took serious time management skills.

I was very fortunate to have great leadership from my older teammates, coaches, and athletic/academic support staff to push me through. My teammates at CSU and I went through so many battles during my four years and I consider them my brothers for life. We developed a bond through hard practices, experiencing big wins, tough losses, personal challenges, and friendships. 

I was on some accomplished and talented teams which won the most games in a single season on two separate occasions (26 and 27 wins in a year). I was also part of the four winningest years in CSU basketball history to date including making it to an NCAA tournament and playing in front of sold out crowds at Moby Arena (it gets rocking in there!). 

I had the honour of representing Canada with the junior national team at the U19 world championships in Prague, Czech Republic, and graduated with a degree in Health and Exercise Science in 2016.  These are amazing experiences, but the foundation of all this was built in my hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan and I’m so proud to represent my town, province and country wherever I go.  

Playing pro

My time playing professionally in Spain for two seasons was an incredible experience. I was able to continue playing at a high level, embrace a new culture and create more memorable basketball experiences. My sister Margaret played professional basketball for five years in Portugal, Spain, and France, and hearing about her time playing abroad was helpful in my transition after college. When I chose to join the coaching world, I understood this would likely be the end of my playing days, but I will always remember my time as a professional athlete. 

I have been asked why I would choose to end my professional basketball career after two seasons? There were a few reasons: 

There are times when an opportunity arises that cannot be passed up, and for me that was when the graduate assistant position on the CSU basketball team became available with head coach Niko Medved. Medved is someone I have a tremendous amount of respect for and I was fortunate enough to build a relationship with him during his last year at CSU as an assistant during the 2012-13 season. Being afforded the opportunity to learn from one of the most successful young coaches in the NCAA and returning to Fort Collins was a no brainer. 

Having the opportunity to attain my master’s degree in December 2019 and joining the Division I coaching world was something I had to take advantage of. I feel at peace with my decision, as I felt it was the right time to step away. And although the door to keep playing is more than likely closed, I don’t regret or question my decision. I had a wonderful basketball career due in no small part to some fantastic mentors, coaches, teammates, opponents, family and community. It was also due to some blood, sweat and tears that went into pushing to improve my skills, mental capability and physicality to get better every day.  

Coaching

There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes that I didn’t always see as a player. A lot of balance is needed for tasks such as practice planning, video breakdown and trying to make your players excel on and off the court. But there’s also no better feeling than seeing the student-athletes we bring into the program have success. I feel like I have come full circle here by returning to CSU and a community that supports my goals.  

Do I miss lacing up the shoes and playing competitively? 

Of course. 

Every game day when the national anthem is playing and the starting lineups are announced, those same chills that ran through me as a player are still present. The excitement when our players make big time plays and get the crowd up, still have me going just as crazy. I do miss it, but I’m happy to still be deeply involved in the game although in a different capacity. 

I’m so thankful and proud to have played four years as a CSU Ram and have two degrees from this great university. 

Even though that dream as a little kid of playing pro has shifted, my love of the game has not changed. I just enjoy the game from a different standpoint and provide others with guidance on how to use basketball as one of the best learning opportunities available.  

I was able to touch the dream and I still get to live the dream because I have the opportunity to share some of my experiences while also learning from people with more coaching experiences than me. I’ve represented my club, elementary, high school, province, country, a Division 1 basketball team and professional team in Europe. All those have been a continuum of growth and learning along my journey.  

I count my blessings every day and I’m so grateful to all the wonderful people that have been part of my support system. Now I’m in the position to be a part of the growth journey of so many talented young athletes. 

To the people of Fort Collins, I will always be appreciative of joining a community that took me in from Day 1, not only as a basketball player, but more importantly as a person. 

Basketball’s biggest lesson

My basketball and educational journey presented so many opportunities that I have been excited to learn and grow from. I live by the mantra of “Stay Ready,” meaning I have  to be prepared mentally, physically and spiritually to capitalize on opportunities when presented. This means working hard and smart, being humble and curious, building solid relationships, finding supportive mentors and being willing to step up do the same for someone else. This has materialized in my life a handful of times and my decision to move into coaching was one of those moments. 

I’m not sure where my journey with CSU will end up, but I plan to learn as much as possible and contribute to the best of my abilities.