Spotlight Player: Taya Hanson

Photo: Canada Basketball

Canada's Taya Hanson is The Basketball Embassy spotlight player of the month!

Taya is a 5'10" combo guard from Kelowna, BC, currently playing for TRC Basketball Academy in Brantford, Ontario, and attending nearby St. John's College. Recently, Taya committed to play for Arizona State University, and will join them as part of their basketball class of 2018.

With a stellar track record, representing Canada at the international “Pass It On” camp in Turkey (2014) and playing for CA's National U16 and U17 teams, Taya has big ambitions to reach the WNBA and advance to Canada's U19 team.

"Taya is a living example of the idea that the word "impossible" is an opinion, not a fact," said Mike MacKay, Performance Manager for the Canadian Women's National Team. "She has never let who she is or where she is from restrict her from going after her dreams."

“She’s 100% capable of playing in the WNBA or earning a pro contract in Europe — no problem at all,” raves TRC owner Jim Wilson. “She has everything required or needed. She’s a rare breed. There aren’t too many athletes out there who have the work ethic, the will, the drive, the academics, and the frame to be successful in the sport. I give her family and Taya a lot of credit because she wasn’t just blessed with it, she’s worked really hard. She’s an incredible young lady.”

Taya's success has come as no surprise to TBE President Chris Dial.

"I had the privilege of working with Taya at Camp Pass It On in Istanbul, Turkey. The reasons Taya Hanson stood out went well beyond her natural abilities. She displayed a sincere respect for her coaches and the other participants and a terrific attitude all week. All of us involved knew she would go on to do great things. I'm extremely proud of her."