Brittney English, a senior on Humber’s basketball team, showed remarkable results last week at her final home game.
The 23-year-old guard had an impressive career, winning a national title during her time with the Hawks.
Growing up in North York, English loved to play all kinds of sports in elementary school, and described herself as a tomboy.
She said it wasn’t until grade eight when she started to play organized basketball.
“I actually played for a team that originated at Jane and Finch. Fun fact, that’s where I first met Kia Watt,” English said about her fellow teammate.
She continued to build her basketball career in high school.
English played on the senior team at St. Basil The Great College in Grade 9, and the following year she played on the junior team after transferring to James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School.
After taking a year off in Grade 11, English transferred to Father Henry Carr, where she earned co-MVP for basketball.
But her success didn’t curb a bump in the road on her athletic journey.
In her senior year of high school, the Humber student said she wanted to end her basketball career.
“After Grade 12, I actually was gonna quit playing basketball to be honest,” she said. “I didn’t get where I thought I would get.
“It wasn’t until my Grade 12 coach, she actually went to Humber and played basketball at Humber,” English said. “She was just like, Britt, try out for Humber.”
During her first year at Humber, English created memories that have stuck with her.
“One of my moments that I’ll always cherish was when we actually broke the scoring record and it was on one of my baskets that broke the scoring record,” English said. “Winning nationals and being undefeated as a rookie. All in my first year.
“The person who I am today, my first year impacted a lot,” she said.
She found balancing school work and basketball challenging at first, but her love for the sport and the desire to be a good role model to her younger brother motivated her to persevere, she said.
For English, basketball became a stress reliever.
“Basketball is a therapeutic break for me,” she said. “When I play basketball, my mind is clear of everything, I just focus on the game. To me, basketball is like a break from reality.”
Now in her senior year, English is moving on from the women’s basketball team. She expressed her appreciation to the entire coaching staff, especially assistant coach Aleena Domingo, who she played with on the team in her first year.
Looking beyond the court, In the next five years, English’s priority is to pursue a career in home renovation.
But she said when it comes to basketball, if given an opportunity to continue playing, she would happily take it.
“I just want to say thank you to Humber,” English said. “All the opportunities they have given me and to everybody. Honestly, it’s probably one of the best programs in Canada to play for.”