Junior Women’s National Team Embark on Journey for Success

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TORONTO,ON–The Junior Women’s National Basketball Team has officially been selected! The invitation roster consisted of great talent which reassured basketball fans and competition alike, that the JWNT would be phenomenal regardless of who was selected and indeed it is. The roster is made up of talented university basketball players as well as budding high school stars.

University players on the team such as Diana Lee, Megan Lukan, Katherine, Michelle Plouffe, Korissa Williams and Kristjana Young will all help bring a great level of competition, intensity, work ethic and leadership due to the high level they play at. Korissa Williams is a member of the 2010-2011 CIS Windsor Lancers championship team and will be able to bring a winning attitude to the team.

Excluding Williams and Young, all the women listed above have previously played for Canada’s national team.

Duquense University forward Wumi Agunbiade will provide the team with a potent post presence. Her size gives her the ability to rebound, box out, constantly block shots and make easy baskets for her team. She was awarded the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the year for the 2010-2011 NCAA season and averaged 11.2 ppg, which will make her an offensive asset to the JWNT.

The Plouffe twins will be a great addition to the front court as well, due to their striking height and size. Michelle has played with the National Team for three years and has proven herself a worthy competitor being ranked first in points and free throws made in last years tournament.

High school standouts such as Paige Crozon, Sophie Beaudry, Isidora Purkovic, and Kellie Ring will also be great assets to the team due to their great skills, personalities and willingness to learn. University of Ottawa recruit, Kellie Ring was awarded Miss. Basketball Canada earlier this year at the All Canada Classic game, and she has lived up to the title. With her advanced perimeter and passing game, Ring will be a wonderful addition to the teams already prominent back court.

Mater Dei High School guard Nirra Fields (who transferred from Oak Hill Academy) is one of 2013 highly boasted recruits. She creates an offensive benefit for her team with her sensational dribbling and shooting skills. Fields can score just about anywhere on the floor, a consistent offensive threat.

She has been a member of the national team for two years as well as the Quebec provincial team for two years and has proven to be a stand out player.

The team also has an outstanding coaching staff with University of Victoria’s Rich Chambers as head coach. University of Windsor Lancers Head Coach Coach, Chantal Vallee and University of Lethbridge Head coach Donna Branch have also been selected as assistants, giving the team top-nothc bench guidance for the challenging games ahead.

The team is ranked number 12 according to FIBA ranks and have been grouped with China, Egypt, and Italy. With so much talent on the team, the women are headed for success. The 2011 FIBA U19 World championships will be held from July 21st to the 31st in Chile. Good Luck to Canada’s JWNT as the work hard to bring home the gold.

2011 Junior Women’s National Team

NAME | POSITION | HEIGHT | HOMETOWN | SCHOOL

12 Wumi Agunbiade | F | 6’2″ | Pickering, ON | Duquesne University (NCAA)

15 Sophie Beaudry | P | 6’3″ | Chambly, QC | Collège Notre-Dame de Lourdes

11 Paige Crozon | F | 6’1″ | Humboldt, SK | Humboldt Collegiate Institute

9 Nirra Fields | PG | 5’10” | Lachine, QC | Mater Dai, CA

4 Diana Lee | PG | 5’7″ | North Vancouver, BC | Boise State University (NCAA)

8 Megan Lukan | PG | 5’7″ | Barrie, ON | University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (NCAA)

14 Katherine Plouffe | F | 6’3″ | Edmonton, AB | Marquette University (NCAA)

13 Michelle Plouffe | F | 6’3″ | Edmonton, AB | University of Utah (NCAA)

6 Isidora Purkovic | P | 5’11” | Calgary, AB | Western Canada High School

7 Kellie Ring | PG | 5’9″ | Ottawa, ON | Louis Riel High School

5 Korissa Williams | G | 5’9″ | Amhertsburg, ON | University of Windsor (CIS)

10 Kristjana Young | W | 6’0″ | North Vancouver, BC | University of British Columbia (CIS)