VANCOUVER - The UBC Thunderbirds women's basketball team signed one of the province's top recruits on Thursday with the commitment of Handsworth standout Kris Young (North Vancouver, BC) to the T-Bird program.

"I chose UBC because I love the team, I like being close to home, the campus is great, and it just felt like the right place when I visited," said Young, whose parents both attended the Point Grey institution.

Young is coming off a stellar senior campaign which saw her lead the Royals to their second straight BC AAA Provincial High School Championship. A unique talent, Young suited up for the senior team at Handsworth in all four of her high school years.

"It's been exciting watching Kris' development over the last four seasons. This last year she really stepped up and brought her game to a whole other level. The coaching staff at Handsworth has done a tremendous job with their program and we are extremely happy to have added a player of Kris' calibre to our team," said UBC head coach Deb Huband.

In 2009-10, Young averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists for the Royals and was named MVP of the 2010 AAA Provincial Championship - in fact she was named named MVP of each of the five tournaments in which Handsworth competed.

Young saved one of her best performances for last, scoring 25 points and hauling down 13 rebounds in Handsworth's 60-51 triumph over Oak Bay in the AAA championship game, leading the Royals to the provincial title while teammate and fellow standout Diana Lee was slowed by a foot injury.

Huband believes that Young is among the top three recruits in the province, with the other two - Lee (Boise State) and Cassandra Brown of Clarence Fulton (University of Portland) - already committed to head south and play in NCAA Division I.

"Kris had a lot of options in BC and some very good offers down south. For a player of her calibre and potential to choose to stay at home and attend UBC is really thrilling for the program," noted Huband.

A 6-foot guard-forward, Young is an all-around talent that played every position from point guard to power forward during her high school career. Huband sees this ability to adapt, in addition to her solid overall game and ability to create for herself, as the key to Young's potential at the CIS level - likely as a two or a three.

"Offensively and defensively, she is the type of player in high school that has been able to change a game. She's a versatile and well-rounded player. She doesn't have any real weakness to her game which gives me the confidence she is going to be able to step in and contribute immediately."

-30-