Duchess Park graduate Brynn Dergousoff has utilized her talent as a basketball forward to get to know another part of the world in New Zealand.
Now she’s coming home to play for an extended tenure in the UNBC Timberwolves’ den.
The 22-year-old Dergousoff signed a commitment to play for the T-wolves for her first season of U SPORTS eligibility after four years of playing club basketball in New Zealand.
The six-foot forward’s club career was highlighted by a season title last summer with the Block City Comets. In 2022 she helped drive Massey University to a bronze-medal finish at the University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ) 3X3 basketball championships.
She’s looking forward to getting back to some home cooking.
“I chose UNBC because after studying abroad for four years, I wanted to be close to my family,” said Dergousoff who just returned to Prince George. “The science program at UNBC has quality teaching and lots of research opportunities. I also love that the Timberwolves are involved in the community and the team itself is really supportive of each other.”
Dergousoff plans to pursue a degree in integrated science, with designs on a career conducting childhood cancer research.
“We’re thrilled that Brynn has decided to come home to Prince George to begin her U SPORTS basketball career with the UNBC Timberwolves,” said head coach Sergey Shchepotkin. “She brings a great mix of athleticism and leadership which will complement our team nicely. We think she can make a strong impact at both ends of the floor.”
Prior to leaving for New Zealand, Dergousoff honed her basketball skills playing for coach Louise Holmes with the Duchess Park Condors and with the BC United club team, playing for coaches Rich Chambers, Brian Lee and Aman Heran.
Dergousoff’s father Dale is an assistant coach with the UNBC men’s team and his influence is obvious in Brynn’s game.
“Basketball has always been a part of my life, so being on the court feels like home. I like to focus on teamwork and creating trust within your team. Which then creates a great sense of bonding.
“The Canada West game is faster and I really want to overcome the challenge of playing at a high level that I’ve never played at before and the challenge of playing with a new team.”
