Claremont Spartans basketball star Marissa Dheensaw, 17, has officially committed to the UVic Vikes women’s basketball program for the 2015-16 season.
Vikes coach Dani Sinclair had little trouble convincing the 5-foot-10 forward, who can also play guard, as she’s already coached Dheensaw on the U15 B.C. team that finished third in the 2012 national championship.
“I can’t wait to play for my own city,” Dheensaw said. “Having (Sinclair) as a coach in previous years makes me excited to start a new journey with her and my future teammates.”
Claremont’s female athlete of the year for Grades 9, 10 and 11, and was named to the Island Championship First Team All-Star, and also excels in soccer and volleyball.
“Dheensaw will help us greatly in some much-needed areas as she is an exceptional rebounder and can defend all five positions on the floor,” Sinclair said.
Among Dheensaw’s achievements are silver and gold medals with Team B.C. at the Canada Summer Games in 2013 and in 2014, respectively. She’s also been named to the Island championship First All Start team twice.
“It is important for us to attract the best local talent and Dheensaw has the ability to be a very importance piece of the puzzle moving forward,” Sinclair said.
Dheensaw’s elder sister Shalie, also a former Spartan, suffered an early end to her fourth and final season with the Washington State Cougars (NCAA Div. 1) when she injured her knee in January.
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