Dabb Chooses REDS
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s basketball team is naming 6’2” forward/centre Sashaneil Dabb to their recruiting class of 2024.
The 17-year-old, from Halifax, is currently in her Grade 12 year at Halifax’s Armbrae Academy where she’s in her third season as a member of the Osprey’s girls’ varsity team.
Dabb has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2024-2025 Atlantic University Sport season.
“We’re thrilled that Sasha has chosen to bring her talents to UNB,” said REDS’ head coach Erin McAleenan. “She’s proven she can compete with the best in Canada while representing Nova Scotia on the provincial team and we know she’ll come in and contribute early on.”
Dabb spent two seasons with Basketball Nova Scotia’s U17 program, helping the Bluenosers to a fifth-place finish at the national championship tournament in 2022 and sixth in 2023.
At the 2023 Canadian championship tournament, Dabb was among the top ten in rebounds, blocks, field goals made and field goal percentage. She averaged 10.4 points and seven rebounds per game.
“It felt like a place where I could truly see myself develop and grow as a person and a player,” said Dabb, following her official recruiting visit to UNB. “Being at Armbrae, I’ve adapted to being in a smaller school and after spending time at UNB, I knew it was the perfect fit for me.”
“My ability to score the ball in the post, getting rebounds on both sides, driving to the rim from outside, creating opportunities for my teammates, and guarding full court are skills that I can bring to the team,” she added. “I’ll continue to be a threat against other forwards and create success for my team.”
“Sasha has a great ability to pursue the basketball which you can see with her relentless rebounding and shot blocking,” said Coach McAleenan. “Her length and athleticism will be a great addition to our team defence. At the offensive end, she’s a scoring threat inside and out, but we’re really impressed with her court vision and ability to make great passes.”
Among Dabb’s short-term goals as a RED, building strong relationships with the REDS’ coaching staff and her new teammates and finding a way to fit in the team’s successful dynamic. Long-term, she wants to be a role model for future generations of REDS.
“I hope to be someone they can look up to in the same way I do with current players, especially Katie (Butts). Since we play the same position, being able to see her play has helped me improve my game and I hope to have that same impact on future players.”
“Throughout the recruitment process we were most impressed with the quality of character Sasha demonstrates and know she will fit in with our team culture,” said McAleenan.
Dabb will pursue a Recreation and Sport Studies degree while attending UNB.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTO BY: Fran Harris Photography