Congratulations Aaliyah Edwards!

We want to join with the rest of the Kingston basketball community in congratulating Kingston’s Aaliyah Edwards on her joining the WNBA with the Washington Mystics with the 6th pick overall in the draft last night. My first view of Aaliyah on a basketball court was at St. Lawrence College a few years ago, not playing a game, but just joining a gaggle of other young players on the court at halftime of an SLC game. I watched as others fired up shots from all over the place while she took a ball, dribbled a bit and then for a few minutes worked on her game around the basket. I was struck by the work ethic she displayed to take advantage of even a brief opportunity to work on her game. All of us involved in our program wish her well as she starts on this new chapter of her basketball life. I personally hope that playing the game she so obviously loves brings her joy in the years ahead.
For the Kingston basketball community, we need to be ready for the next group of players that are inspired by Aaliyah and the other great players that they have seen in the NCAA and CIS games this spring when they show up on our gyms. We have an obligation to give them a chance to experience how much fun being on a court with teammates can be, to encourage them to be their best, and to support them regardless of the game’s outcome. It is a game we love and hopefully one that we can help others grow to love too RB.