Graduating stars Kim Gibbs and Sarah Brodie of the York Lions women’s basketball team have signed professional contracts in Europe.
Gibbs, who attended York’s summer session, will play for Gimle, a Division I club in Norway, while Brodie (BFA Spec. Hons. ’07) will suit up for BC Nokia, a Division I team in Finland. The two key members of York’s Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championship team in 2006-2007 both attended a European tryout camp in Germany earlier this summer, leading to the contract signings.
Right: Kim Gibbs receives York’s female athlete of the year award from Rob Tiffin, York vice-president students, earlier this year
“It’s great for the program,” Lions assistant coach Eric Tiessen said. “Kim and Sarah win (the OUA championship) and now they both have the opportunity to play professionally. It’s just fantastic for them. It also will make a difference out there recruiting-wise for us.”
Gibbs, a 5-foot-11 forward, earned a number of honours this past season, including the York female athlete-of-the-year award, the OUA East defensive player of the year award and the OUA championship game MVP award. She also was named to the OUA East first all-star team after leading York to a 20-2 regular season mark, the best finish in team history.
“This is a great opportunity, it’s just a dream of a lifetime,” said Gibbs, who helped the Lions advance to their second consecutive CIS National Championship Tournament this past season. “I don’t think it’s going to really sink in until I get on the plane [to go to Norway].”
Brodie, a 6-foot-2 centre, led the Lions in field goal percentage (47.3 per cent) and blocks (44) this season. She averaged 7.9 points and 5.8 rebounds.
“I’m so ecstatic,” Brodie said. “I started playing basketball late (her first club season was in her final year of high school) and it’s just been a whirlwind.”
The Lions, minus Brodie and Gibbs, will begin their quest to make a third consecutive trip to the CIS tournament Nov. 3, at 6pm, when they play host to the Laurentian Voyageurs in their OUA season opener at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
Submitted to YFile by Mike Koreen, sport & recreation information officer in York’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Faculty of Health.