Second generation hoops star commits to the Panthers

The UPEI women's basketball team is pleased to announce the commitment of top recruit Kiera Rigby for the 2013-14 season. She joins Candace Smith of Horton and Jessica Patenaude of Charlottetown Rural in what is shaping up to be a strong recruiting class.

'Kiera is one of the premier players in Atlantic Canada,' said UPEI head coach Greg Gould. 'She is very athletic, has excellent skills, a high basketball I.Q., and is a great team player. She will be able to step in right away and help take our program to the upper ranks of the Atlantic University Conference.'

Rigby has been a member of the PEI under 15 and under 17 provincial teams and has been named Basketball PEI player of the year four times. She was selected to attend the Canadian Women's Cadet team tryouts in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

'Kiera is a tremendous athlete who comes from a great basketball family,' said Gould. 'Her father Gordon was a standout at the University of New Brunswick, while her mother Eireann was a two-time UPEI Panther MVP, a three-time first team Atlantic University All-star, and a member of the 1997-98 AUS championship Panther team.

Rigby is not only accomplished on the basketball court but she also excels in the classroom where she maintains an academic average above 90%. She will be enrolling in the Bachelor of Science program and plans to major in chemistry.

'I am excited about the academic program that UPEI offers and look forward to getting a great education while pursuing my basketball goals,' she said.

Rigby has been fortunate to have had the benefit of a great high school coach in Chris Annett at Colonel Gray High School, in Charlottetown. In addition, she's been trained by UPEI assistant coach Kathy Murray who has helped develop her basketball skills and knowledge.

'I grew up watching the Panthers women's basketball team with my mom and grandfather who was a long-time Panther assistant coach,' said Rigby. 'I'm excited to be a Panther next season. The team is on a real upswing after several difficult years, and I feel fortunate to be a part of this new era of such an amazing program. I am looking forward to playing with my new teammates and working with Coach Gould and the rest of the coaching staff to improve my skills and make a positive contribution to the team.'