University of British Columbia Athletics

Following entrance into  entering UBC in 1999/2000 Carrie Watts (nee Watson), was an integral component of UBC Thunderbird basketball  for over 20 years as both an outstanding player and as a coach. Coached by Deb Huband, Carrie was selected to the Canada West All-Rookie team in 2000. She set a UBC record with 10 steals in one game as it was her game-changing defensive play, especially steals, that was her forte.
During the early 2000s Carrie and her teammates were instrumental in the Thunderbirds’ rise to national prominence. This steady improvement was under the co-captaining of Carrie and the mentoring of Huband, culminating in UBC winning the CIS (U SPORTS) national championship in 2004, the first such title won by UBC women’s basketball in 30 years. In that 2004 national championship Carrie was named the tournament MVP.

2004 was a big year for the team and for Carrie as she was selected a Canada West first team All-Star, Canada West Defensive Player of the Year, CIS second team All-Canadian and the CIS Defensive Player of the Year. At that year’s UBC Big Block Awards, she was presented the Marilyn Pomfret Award as UBC’s Female Athlete of the Year and also recognized with the Thunderbird Performance Leadership Award. Last, but not least, she was named Basketball BC University Female Athlete of the Year.

After graduation, Carrie played on Canada’s national basketball team from 2005-2007, competing in several international tournaments including the 2007 Pan American Games and 2006 FIBA World Championships – a rare accomplishment for a Thunderbird.

Beginning in 2007 Carrie  worked with Deb Huband as the Thunderbirds full-time assistant coach. During her ensuing 14 years at UBC,  her skills in academic supervision, scouting, recruiting, defensive systems and alumni outreach has contributed to UBC winning bronze (2015), silver (2012) and gold (2008) medals at the USport national basketball championships. Carrie has coached with Basketball BC since 2008, evaluating and coaching youth athletes on Under 15 and Under 17 Provincial teams; her leadership and team-building skills guided them to two bronze medals at Canadian Juvenile National championships. In 2019, she was appointed to a coaching position with the women’s basketball team competing at the FISU World University Games. Robin D’Abreo, UBC’s Director of Operations and Team Support, has admiration for Carrie, “She’s great!  Such humility and is always eager to help and support even when unsolicited. Help not just for her sport but for the Athletics Department in general.”
 
Researched and written by Fred Hume
UBC Athletics