EDMONTON, Alta. - The NAIT Ooks women's basketball team is excited to announce the addition of two dynamic student-athletes to their roster for the 2019-20 season. Lauren Payne from Magrath and Gracyn Anderson from Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.

Lauren Payne (right) comes to NAIT from an extremely successful high school basketball career. The 5'10" guard is an explosive scorer and tremendous defender who can shoot the ball with an outstanding degree of accuracy. She was a key contributor to a Magrath Pandas high school team that went undefeated (14-0) in league play in Southern Alberta before going on to compete at the 4A provincial championships.  In addition, Lauren was named league MVP at the annual Tony Roma's High School All-Star event in Southern Alberta. Along with her accomplishments, Lauren brings great basketball knowledge and fundamentals having been coached this past year by former CCAA National Coach of the Year Brad Karren. "Our program is overjoyed to add an athlete of Lauren's caliber," says Coach Warnick of the newest member of the Ooks "She represents all of the key attributes we strive to attract to our program at NAIT. She's an outstanding athlete, excellent student, and a tremendous personal character." Lauren will be studying Combined Lab and X-Ray Technology in the fall. Welcome to the Ooks Lauren.

The other newest Ook is Gracyn Anderson  (below) from Fort Saskatchewan. Graycn is a Metro Athletics All-Star, who is dynamic and quick. The 5'7" guard has shown tremendous offensive skills while playing her grade 12 basketball in Fort Saskatchewan. Anderson originally hails from Chilliwack, British Columbia where she was able to hone much of her basketball skill playing with the UFV Club team and various Basketball B.C. programs.   "Graycn will add to our depth at the guard spot. She has great scoring instincts and solid basketball fundamentals that will help her transition in post-secondary basketball in the ACAC," says Coach Warnick.  Graycn will be enrolled in the  Personal Fitness Training Program in the fall, welcome to the Ooks Graycn.