Standout shooting guard commits to CBU

By Corey LeBlanc

COLE HARBOUR – For Lily François, some of her earliest and fondest childhood memories involve basketball, including watching games with her father, Sean.

"He loved Michael Jordan," she remembers of his fandom for the legendary NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls.

François adds, "I have always been around it."

It wasn't long before their shared passion for the sport took root.

"He loved it, and I started to love it, too."

François tipped off her playing days with the Steve Nash Youth Basketball program when she was seven years old.

"There was such a great atmosphere," the native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia remembers of the support she and her young teammates received from their parents and other fans.

From the beginning, François embraced the team atmosphere she discovered while playing the game; one that only deepened while playing and developing her talents with her hometown Cole Harbour Rockets program.

"It also provided me with a leg up academically," she explains of her decision to go to high school at Armbrae Academy in Halifax.

Along with an enhanced academic experience, François joined an accomplished basketball program under the leadership of Jalynn Skeir, a former all-star guard with the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers.

"It has been an amazing experience," the 17-year-old says of her time at the school – both academically and athletically.

On the court, along with her high school experience, François developed her game as a contributor to the Basketball Nova Scotia program, including stints with the U14 and U17 teams.

"I take pride in my defense," the 5'8" shooting guard says, when asked about her skill set, including "locking down someone" and putting ball pressure on her opponents.

François adds, "I think I shoot pretty well," including from three-point land.

She also believes in her ability to communicate with teammates, on and off the court.

"I take pride in being a team player," she notes.

As François started the decision-making process, when it came to her university future – both academically and athletically, she learned a lot regarding the CBU women's program from Skeir.

"It felt so close knit, just like at Armbrae," she remembers of what appealed to her about the Sydney-based school.

François says that her recruiting visit to CBU, which included a Caper victory over the Saint Mary's Huskies, sealed the deal.

"It was awesome. Everyone was so nice and treated me so well," she adds.

François explains that she admired the positivity of not only the coaches and everyone involved with the Caper women's basketball program, but also the people she met from the academic side of the university.

"It just felt like the right fit for me in every way," she offers, adding, "Everyone has been so welcoming."

When asked about what she needs to work on in the lead up to her first Caper training camp later this year, "I am always focused on improving all aspects of my game."

She notes the importance of being in the best shape of her life.

François also plans to focus on improving her ball handling, foot speed and agility.

"Players in the AUS [Atlantic University Sport] are faster, stronger and older," she offers, in explaining the importance of focusing on those aspects of her skill set.

After seeing François play a few years ago, veteran CBU head coach Fabian McKenzie started to follow her development.

"I kept in contact with her to discuss Lily and her potential," he says of keeping the line of communication open with Skeir.

McKenzie adds, "Jalynn is a tremendous young coach, so I am confident Lily has a great base to start with when it comes to work ethic and basketball IQ."

As for talents that she brings to the court, he explains, "The first thing that stood out to me was Lily's ability to shoot the basketball," which McKenzie notes his program has been "lacking the last few years."

He adds, "We are hoping that the transition from being a shooter at the high school level can translate relatively quickly at the university level."

When it comes to making the transition to AUS-level basketball, McKenzie offers, "Lily will have to learn about the speed and physicality, which could be an adjustment for her. We will be patient and work with her to learn what it takes to make the transition."

The veteran CBU mentor notes that every player making the jump from high school "needs to learn what it takes to play consistent defense at a high level, and learn how to play with less space, as it gets taken away pretty quickly."

He reiterates, "We will work with Lily to help her make the necessary adjustments."

McKenzie adds that his program will help François "get in the best possible shape to prepare for the rigors of competition in the AUS."

He notes "Luckily, she likes to compete and I know she will push herself and her teammates to become better."

McKenzie calls François a "great fit for our program."

"We are always looking to build complete champions – on and off the court. She competes hard, is a great teammate and a tremendous student," he says.

And, he adds, François comes from a "tremendous family."

"She will bring those strong family values to our team," McKenzie says.

 François expects to be able to contribute to the Capers in her freshman campaign.

"My enthusiasm for the game and passion to win translates in many ways, whether that be through my communication on the court, cheering on teammates, getting up on defense or hitting a big shot.

"I think these things will help the team in the next season," she adds.

François, a 2023 School Sport Nova Scotia (SSNS) Sportsmanship Award recipient, will study in CBU's Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies program, majoring in biology and sport studies. She is eying a career as a physiotherapist.

"It has always been my dream," she says of playing AUS women's basketball.

And she can't wait to do it in CBU orange.

"I am very excited to become a Caper and bring my hard work and determination to Cape Breton University."

-30-