(FREDERICTON, NB) The reigning Atlantic University Sport women’s basketball MVP will join the UNB REDS for the 2022-2023 season.
Jayda Veinot, of Port Williams, Nova Scotia, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS as a transfer student from Acadia.
“I’m coming to UNB to take the Masters in Applied Health Services Research program, and I still love basketball and don’t feel ready to be done playing yet,” said the 6’0” guard. “I’m really excited to join the team this season.”
In three seasons with the Axewomen, Veinot played in 50 games, starting 45 of them. She averaged 18.4 points per game on 46.3% shooting from the field and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Last season, her MVP season, she averaged 23.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
“To say we’re excited to have Jayda join our program is an understatement,” said REDS head coach Jeff Speedy. “She’s a dominant player, not only in our league but in the country, and like she would with any team, she’ll make us better in many ways.”
Along with being named MVP in 2021-22, Veinot was the AUS Rookie of the Year in 2018-19, a three-time AUS All-Star and a member of the 2018-19 AUS All-Rookie Team.
“We’ve struggled scoring the ball for the last couple of seasons so, obviously, that is something we’re looking forward to her doing for us, but Jayda is much more than that.” said Speedy. “She wants to win and knows how to win, and she does a great job pushing and helping her teammates play better. We’re pumped that she’ll be doing those things while wearing a REDS jersey.”
Leaving Acadia for UNB, and the Axewomen for the REDS, wasn’t an easy decision for Veinot.
“I loved my years there,” said Veinot. “We had success on the court, I had great teammates and staff, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more out of my time there.”
“I’ll bring experience and leadership to the team from my years of playing,” she said. “I’m comfortable playing in a lot of positions so I can fit in wherever needed, and I think I can contribute at both ends of the floor.”
In joining the REDS, Veinot writes another chapter in an already storied family history in women’s basketball at UNB.
Her mother, Jennifer Hale (BSc’92), was the Atlantic conference MVP in 1990-91 and a two-time conference All-Star.
Her aunt, Bonnie Hale (BEd’94), also played four seasons with UNB’s old Red Bloomers.
“Both are very excited and think it’s cool I’ll be at UNB, but both were very good about keeping it to themselves until I made the decision myself.”
Current REDS’ guard Katie McAffee played the 2018-19 season at Acadia with Veinot. She’s excited to be teammates once again.
“Jayda is a tough competitor to play against,” she said. “She can score in multiple ways, lock you up on defence, and create scoring opportunities for her teammates. She’s an amazing player.”
Veinot has two years of U SPORTS eligibility remaining but has made no commitment beyond the coming season.
As for UNB’s late season visit to Wolfville.
“It’ll be different, sitting on the other bench and playing against my former teammates,” said Veinot. “But Acadia is also close to my home, so it’ll be exciting to be there and play in front of my family and friends.”
Veinot and the REDS open the 2022-23 AUS regular season on October 28th, when they host the Dalhousie Tigers. Tip-off is at 6:00pm.
PHOTO: Peter Oleskevich/Acadia Athletics