The University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s basketball team continues to excel, attracting top international talent despite the cold winters in Saskatoon. Over the past decade, the Huskies have successfully integrated European players into their roster, resulting in three national championships.
Head coach Lisa Thomaidis, with her extensive experience as a national head coach for Canada and Germany, has played a pivotal role in recruiting international players. The recruitment journey began with Latvian guard Sabine Dukate in 2016, who made a significant impact on the team by winning two national championships.
This season, the No. 1-ranked Huskies feature two international players – Swedish forward Olivia Harm and English guard Charli Wroe. Harm, in her second year with the team, highlighted the trend of Swedish players heading to the U.S. for basketball opportunities before joining the Huskies.
Thomaidis, emphasizing the challenges of recruiting internationally, shared insights on the process involving connections from various countries. Wroe, who spent time in the U.S. before moving to Canada, mentioned the appeal of the education quality and program success at the U of S.
Wroe noted the contrasting styles of play between the U.S. and Canada, emphasizing teamwork in Canadian basketball compared to individual focus in the U.S. Harm, recovering from an injury, shared her adjustment experiences in Saskatoon and her growing enthusiasm for the sport and academics.
Looking ahead, Thomaidis expressed optimism about the contributions of Harm and Wroe to the team’s success. The players are eager to defend their national title and are focused on personal growth and team achievements. The Huskies have started the season impressively, winning their initial games convincingly and are set to face the Manitoba Bisons in their upcoming matchups.