Kiyara Letlow on verge of making AUS history
Kiyara Letlow on verge of making AUS history
CAPERS All-Canadian set to break rebounding mark held by CBU legend Alison Keough
By Corey LeBlanc
SYDNEY – If Windex was in search of a spokesperson for its famous glass cleaner– at least when it comes to basketball – they needn't look any further than Kiyara Letlow of the Cape Breton University (CBU) CAPERS.
Heading into the 2025 portion of the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) women's basketball season, the Toronto native – a perennial first-team all-star and All-Canadian performer – is on the cusp of becoming the all-time leader in career rebounds in the conference.
When the CAPERS tip off versus the UNB Reds on Friday evening (Jan. 10) in Fredericton, the fourth-year student-athlete will be in third place in AUS history with 985 rebounds, trailing only UPEI's Carolina Del Santo (990) and Alison Keough (1,022), the native of Marion Bridge whose uniform number (12) is honoured in the Dr. Bucky Buchanan CAPERS Hall of Fame.
"It is very exciting and very humbling," Letlow offered of closing in on the mark held by the CAPERS Hall of Fame member, who she described as "legendary."
When she joined the CBU women's basketball program, she fondly recalled how Keough – a former AUS rookie and player of the year – was the "biggest name," a former CAPER who head coach Fabian McKenzie often referenced in speaking on how to fashion her game and become successful at the university level, which left an indelible impression.
"It is an honour even to be mentioned with not only one of the best CAPERS, but also all-time top player in the AUS and U SPORTS," Letlow added.
'That's my game'
When asked what makes her a strong rebounder, she offered – with a laugh, "That's a great question."
Describing it as "such an underappreciated" part of the sport, Letlow said of her success in that aspect of the game, "I am very tenacious."
Noting that she believes rebounding is "something I was meant to do" on the court, Letlow explained, "I think I am really good at it, and I take pride in it. It is my favourite part of the game. I want to get every rebound and help our team be successful."
In a pre-season interview, she said, "Scoring is great, everything else is great, but rebounding is what I like to do; that's my game."
Noting her height and flexibility, when asked about keys to her rebounding success, she added, "But, again, I would say that my biggest thing is just competing. I want the ball – [on] offense and defense; I want the ball because I want to give our team an advantage. I want the ball to score, or I want the ball to kick out to my teammates to score or do something."
There may also be a genetic component to her rebounding prowess, considering her older brother, Marcus – who convinced her to take up basketball when she was 14 – excelled in that aspect of the sport.
Including this one – her 15.9 rebounds per game is the second highest season average in U SPORTS history – Letlow holds three of the top five spots on that lofty list. In 2021-22, she finished with 15.7 – which ranks fourth – and 16.6 in 2022-23, which is the current all-time mark. She also holds the best career average in U SPORTS women's basketball at 15.6 per game, which is 3.5 more rebounds than Del Santo (12.1), who places second in that category.
Letlow also possesses the best two seasons in total rebounds – 333 (2022-23) and 290 (2023-24) – in AUS history.
Playoff hunger
On the strength of her performance – Letlow is leading not only the AUS, but also U SPORTS, in points (22.3) and rebounds (15.9) per game – the CAPERS finished the first of the 2024-25 conference campaign in second place with a 7-2 record.
Although she described "a little bit of a slower start" to her season, the perennial double-double machine noted she is "confident in her game" as the CAPERS head down the home stretch.
"I think I have found my groove," she added, while crediting her teammates for their performance, noting how the CAPERS have been one of the best shooting teams in the country.
Letlow pointed out that she has "tremendous trust" in her teammates.
When it comes to their pre-Christmas performance, she offered, "I am pretty happy with where we are at."
Nevertheless, she cautioned against complacency, while noting how CBU head coach Fabian McKenzie – who is on medical leave this season – has always described the second half as a "whole new season."
"We need to keep our foot on the gas," Letlow said of maintaining their spot near the top of the table and earning a first-round bye in the 2025 conference playoffs.
To achieve that, she explained, "We have to continue to show up and do the work."
Offering that there is no dominant team in the AUS, Letlow stressed the importance of being prepared for every game.
Noting the CAPERS have a young group, the team captain said they are "hungry for the playoffs," especially returnees – like her – who missed the post-season in 2024.
While fashioning another stellar campaign on the court, Letlow – a three-time first-team AUS all-star, who finished in the top-three – in both scoring and rebounding – in each of her conference seasons, continues to excel off the court. The 2024 James Bayer Memorial Scholarship Award recipient, which is presented to "an outstanding student-athlete in Atlantic University Sport for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship," is also an Academic All-Canadian.
After a pair of road games this weekend versus UNB, the CAPERS will be on their home court on Friday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m., against the Acadia Axewomen, when CBU fans will either watch Letlow make AUS history or be able to honour her for reaching the prestigious milestone.
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