(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s basketball team is adding 5’9” small forward Maheva Ngassam, from Longueuil, QC, to their recruiting class of 2023.

Ngassam, who helped the Dawson College Blues to a bronze medal at the 2023 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Championship, has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2023-2024 Atlantic University Sport season.

“We’re excited to have Maheva join our program,” said Jeff Speedy, UNB’s Associate Director of Athletics and former head coach of the women’s basketball team. “She’s a great team player and plays with a level of toughness that is hard to find.”

In 2022-23, Ngassam helped Dawson College to a 10-6 regular season record in an ultra-competitive Quebec college league, averaging more than six points and almost five rebound per game.

The Blues captured the silver medal in the provincial championship tournament.

“My strength as a player is my physicality, and I’m a fearless defender,” said Ngassam, a 20-year-old and veteran of three college seasons. “I’ll help with my voice and my energy, and I have no problem focusing on getting rebounds and doing the dirty jobs on the court.”

Ngassam says she wants to develop her potential as an athlete while excelling as a student.

She says she plans on establishing a great grade point average and has set a goal of being named to the AUS All-Rookie team at season’s end.

“She can defend and rebound really well,” said Speedy. “I know she’ll help in those areas immediately.”

“The energy I got from the REDS was one of love and joy,” said Ngassam. “I’m excited that my teammates and the coaching staff will push me and develop me, not only as a player, but as a person too.”

Ngassam will study Computer Science while attending UNB.

PHOTOS: Submitted