Port Coquitlam's Riverside secondary is quickly becoming a factory for SFU's women's basketball program.
Vanessa Gee is the latest from the Rapids' roster to be making a jump to Simon Fraser. She will join former high school teammates Michelle Spacek and Fiona Beales when the Clan opens the 2014/15 NCAA season.
"I think that the biggest strength that I will bring to the Clan is my positive attitude," said Gee. "I am very optimistic and I think that I bring a calming and level influence to my teammates when the chips are down."
Gee, a 5'7" guard, has three years of Basketball BC provincial team experience, most recently at the under-17 level.
"Vanessa is a quick guard with an excellent first step. She goes by people with ease and has good finish in the lane," said SFU head coach Bruce Langford.
"Vanessa has a unique sense of humour and will fit in nicely with our girls. She responds well to constructive criticism and is a good listener."
If Langford needed any more insight on Gee, he could just ask his younger brother Paul, the senior girls coach at Riverside.
"Vanessa is a great kid and will have to improve her game to make an impact but I think she is ready for the challenge," said the Riverside coach, adding Gee is the fifth Rapid player to make the jump to SFU.
But before heading off to SFU, Gee must complete her Grade 12 year at Riverside. And there is nothing she'd rather do than finish her high school career with a provincial title for the Rapids, currently ranked sixth in B.C.
"Being part of the Clan will help me hone my basketball skills and knowledge allowing me to take my game to the next level. I want to develop into a more complete player and playing with this extremely talented group of players will help me do just that," said Gee.
"I am very excited to be coming to SFU and playing basketball with an amazing team and coaching staff. I will be getting great basketball and academic experience as well as the bonus of competing in the NCAA and I can't wait."
