Simpson and Jones commit to UNB women's basketball

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) The UNB Varsity Reds women’s basketball team is pleased to announce the addition of Grace Simpson and Nailah “Sunny” Jones to the 2015-16 squad.

For Simpson, committing to UNB was a choice made close to home. The Fredericton High School grad says she’s grown up watching the V-Reds and is looking forward to being a part of the tradition of women’s basketball at UNB.

“Being a member of the V-Reds will give me an opportunity to give back to my community,” Simpson said. “On the court, I will do my best. I think it’s important to be active on defense and always be ready to help out your teammates. As a V-Reds player, I am determined to improve and learn everything I need to in order to be competitive at this next level.”
 
“We are really looking forward to having Grace suit up for the V-Reds,” said UNB head coach Jeff Speedy. “She had a great career at FHS and has excelled on Basketball New Brunswick provincial teams for years. Grace brings an edge and toughness to our team that we definitely need, and she can play multiple positions which is always a plus.”
 
Simpson plans to study for a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. 
 
Nailah “Sunny” Jones comes to UNB from Riverdale, Maryland. But although she may be coming from farther away, she says it was UNB's close-knit community that sealed the deal.
 
“UNB felt more like a family than the other schools I looked at. I feel I’ll receive more educationally and on the court as an athlete,” Jones said. “Being a student from the States, [going to UNB] gives me many opportunities, and I won’t let those opportunities slip away.”
 
“Sunny is a true point guard and we are looking forward to having her solidify that position on the court for us,” Speedy added. “She is a very dynamic player who does a lot of things very well on the court. She is a very positive and engaged person and will fit in very well with our current roster.”
 
Jones is looking forward to using her skills as a point guard to lead the team. 
 
“My court awareness, knowing where my teammates are, means I can get them the ball and score when we need to score,” she said. “My goals as a student are always to put my books and education first and end each year with a 4.0.  My goal as a player is to stay in the gym as long as Coach Speedy will let me to become a better player."
 
Jones plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science with the aim of entering medicine.