A star Agassiz athlete and current UVic coach has been inducted into the Basketball B.C. Hall of Fame.
Agassiz Elementary Secondary School alumna Carrie Watts (nee Watson) is one of 10 inductees into the Hall of Fame unveiled this year.
Watts currently works as the head coach of the University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team.
Whether working as a coach or playing on the court, Watts is no stranger to accolades for her passion and skill in basketball. Watts was inducted into the University of British Columbia (UBC) Sports in 2021. While with the UBC Thunderbirds, she helped lead the team to their first championship title in 2004, their first in 30 years, up to that point.
Watts was named CIS All-Canadian, CIS and Canada West Defensive Player of the Year and Basketball BC University Female Athlete of the Year and won the Marilyn Pomfret Trophy for UBC's Female Athlete of the Year and the Thunderbird Performance Leadership Award.
Following graduation, Watts represented Canada at the Pan American Games when she played for the Senior Women's National team for three years. Watts also competed in the 2006 World Championships; she is among a small number of UBC athletes to ever compete in the FIBA world championships.
Watts came back to UBC to serve as a full-time assistant coach in 2007.
In 2023, Watts was named as coach of the year in the inaugural Victoria News Local Hero Awards. She currently works as the head coach for the University of Victoria Vikes women's basketball team. She also coached the U16 and U17 squads and was the assistant coach for Team Canada.
"I extend heartfelt congratulations to the remarkable individuals and team honoured in the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame induction," stated Basketball B.C. President Stu Graham. "Their tireless dedication as athletes, coaches, builders and officials have left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring countless generations to reach for greatness."
The Basketball B.C. Hall of Fame Gala will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Langley Events Centre.
