Huskies basketball alumni and 2021 graduate, Victoria Lawrence, has taken the skills and lessons she learned at George Brown and transferred them over to a very successful season with the Brock Badgers of U SPORTS.
The journey began at George Brown College when she transferred from Algonquin College in 2019. The support system offered at the school and team was key in her decision to come. She learned a ton in her first season and even the following year despite the season being cancelled due to the pandemic.
“I came to George Brown College because of the team's strong dynamic and competitiveness. I felt welcomed as a family, and the coaching staff was always there on and off the court. Being in the city was definitely a bonus too,” she explained. “The people who helped me with my journey at George Brown College are part of the reason where I am today. I appreciate the extra support I received on and off the court and the support I still get today. It was a huge leap in my life coming to George Brown but worth the move.”
Her only season with the Huskies was nothing short of stellar in 2019-2020. She affected games in all facets on the offensive and defensive ends. Lawrence averaged a career-high 16.9 points, nine rebounds and four steals per game. She was only one of two players to be ranked in the top 10 in all three of those categories provincially. She was named an OCAA East Division second-team All-Star.
She graduated from the Community Worker program in 2021. During the cancelled season, she received a few interests from various universities to play basketball at the next level. Still, when she decided to go to Brock University, she felt it was a perfect situation for her.
“I decided to go to Brock because of the recognition the women’s team was receiving as being the team of the year and the underdogs. The atmosphere was also calm, and I felt like I would be focused and achieve my goals,” she explained.
The Ottawa, Ont., native played a critical role with the Brock Badgers this past season. In her first season in the OUA, she primarily came off the bench and was the perfect spark plug. She played 12 games while averaging 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals. The team finished undefeated at 12-0 and first place in the West Division. She went on to help the Badgers earn the OUA silver medal and a berth at the U SPORTS National Championship.
The transition from college to university basketball came with it’s challenges.
“Making the transition from college to university was definitely a big challenge. In college basketball, anyone can shine individually, but a team needs to play as one together as a unit in university. The change has helped me grow as a player and see the game differently,” she explained. “Having practices every day and early morning lifts three times a week, was something I told myself I could never do but here I am doing it. It was frustrating mentally and physically to go through that. But that’s made me a better player on and off the court. Being disciplined and organized were key lessons I learned during my transition that I’m still working on.”
Lawrence found her groove on the biggest stage at the National Championship in Kingston, Ont. In the U SPORTS quarter-final, she put together her best game filling up the stat sheet with a career-high 15 points, six steals, six rebounds and four assists in the victory. She followed up those performances by hitting double-digits in the semifinal and the bronze medal games as the Brock Badgers finished fourth. The year was one to remember, but she was more motivated than ever to build on it.
“The experience was overall amazing. I didn’t see myself being one of the top four teams in the country and being second in the province. Especially, going through a pandemic, many ups and downs, but we’re still able to accomplish so much together,” she said. “The job isn’t done, and we have a lot to show off next season that I’m excited for. I can’t wait to experience more as a player and grow.”
Lawrence has both individual and team goals she wants to accomplish in the next two years.
“Accomplishments as a team I hope to receive after my time at Brock are; 2023 and 2024 Provincial Championship, Playing for the top spot in nationals. For personal accomplishments, I want my offensive & defensive skills to go unnoticed by being named an All Canadian & Defensive Player,” she said. “Off the court, I want to get my get degree and hopefully have a minor in business to set myself up for life after basketball.”
Lawrence is currently enrolled in the Psychology – Comprehensive Stream program at Brock University. One of the biggest challenges for any student-athlete is balancing academics and all aspects related to athletics.
“It’s definitely tough being a student-athlete, it’s like a full-time job,” she explained. “I’d advise future athletes to surround themselves with people who have the same goals as you and will keep you academically focused. On top of that, being organized, happy, and balanced will help you succeed on and off the court.”
Despite all the success Lawrence has attained this year and possibly in the future with the Brock Badgers, she will never forget her time with the Huskies.
“George Brown College helped me a lot when it came to being organized, my time management skills and the responsibilities of balancing everything,” she stated. “I was able to get my diploma which I had to work hard for, which set me up for the possibilities of going to university.”
Being a Husky will always be in her DNA, no matter where the journey takes her.
“To be a Husky, it takes me back to our team's sayings of TLC: Trust, Loyalty, Care and Pillars of Success,” she said. “Do what is right, do the best you can, treat others as they would like to be treated. That culture is what being a Husky is all about and I will continue to live by it."
