Since entering UBC in 1999/2000, Carrie Watts (nee Watson) has been an integral component of UBC Thunderbird basketball, including one of its best players and now an emerging coach. Carrie earned three degrees at UBC: Bachelor of Human Kinestics in 2004, Bachelor of Education in 2005, and Masters of Kinesiology in 2011, while achieving Academic All-Canadian status as a Thunderbird.
Carrie and her teammates were instrumental in the Thunderbirds’ rise to national basketball prominence culminating in 2004 with UBC winning the U SPORTS national championship and Carrie being named the Championship tournament MVP.
Carrie was known for her game-changing defensive play, especially steals as in 2004 she was named U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year as well as Canada West first-team All Star and USPORTS second team All-Canadian. This same year she was awarded the Marilyn Pomfret trophy as UBC female athlete of the year and the Basketball BC University female athlete of the year.
From 2005 through 2007 Carrie played on Canada’s National basketball team competing in several international tournaments – a rare accomplishment for a Thunderbird. Beginning in 2008 Carrie has worked with head coach Deb Huband as the Thunderbirds full-time assistant coach. During the following 10 years her skills in areas such as scouting, recruiting and defensive systems has contributed to UBC winning Bronze (2015) Silver (2012) and Gold (2008) medals at he USPORTS National Championships. One of UBC’s Athletics management team expressed his admiration for Carrie . . . “She’s great! Such humility and is always eager to help and or support even when unsolicited.”
