A Duchess Park graduate is heading across the pond to continue her basketball journey.
After spending four stellar seasons with the UNBC Timberwolves, Madison Landry has signed a pro contract with AB Contern in Luxembourg.
Landry is one of the most celebrated players to ever wear green and gold.
Her 1166 career points are good for third all-time in the Timberwolves Canada West and overall leaderboard.
In addition, Landry is the highest scoring Prince George product, male or female, in UNBC history.
In an interview with MyPGNow.com, Landry was pleasantly surprised any pro options were still on the table after her final varsity season was erased by the pandemic.
“I never really thought something like that would be in the cards for me but it still became a reality so I am extremely excited and really looking forward to the opportunity.”
“I have gotten the opportunity to travel all over Canada and to Spain and this is just another adventure I am extremely excited to take on.”
GOING PRO! Huge news from one of the greatest basketball players in Northern BC history!@UNBCWomensBball‘s @landry_madi has signed a pro contract with AB Contern in Luxembourg, after a storied career in @UNBC green & gold.
We are so proud of you, Madi!https://t.co/e4sMXDW6lo pic.twitter.com/kU2dzMehfk
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) May 26, 2021
AB Contern struggled to a 3-15 record last season.
Contern is a town of 4,500 people, ten kilometres from Luxembourg City.
Looking back at her time at UNBC, Landry is still in awe of how she was able to seamlessly transition to the U-Sports level – often undertaking an underdog mentality.
“It still feels surreal that I could be able to play at the university level let alone develop as much as I have. I would say the year where I stepped into my own was Vasiliki’s (Louka) last year and I think that we played so well together. Her level of professionalism really taught me what it takes to become a professional player.”
Oftentimes players have that one moment where it sinks into them they are playing at a higher level.
For Landry, that came in her rookie season during a dramatic overtime victory against the Trinity Western Spartans.
“Sergei (Schepoetkin) decided to put me in a close game and I think I got a steal and then put on a line to shoot two free throws to either tie it or put the game into overtime. Shooting and making those free throws was also a time where I realized I could handle that pressure and take on that responsibility.”
Landry was part of a core that also included Vasiliki Louka, Maria Mongomo, Emily Holmes, and Alina Shakirova who helped guide the T-Wolves to four consecutive playoff appearances.
“I am so glad I decided to stay choose UNBC because being part of that core group is what people are going to remember. When people look back at my time they are going to remember Vasiliki, Maria, and Alina and I think those three players are very special. People like that don’t come along every year and a lot of programs don’t even see one of those players.”
Two of the more defining moments for the women’s basketball program came at playoffs where UNBC scored dramatic victories against Trinity Western in 2019 as well as a double-overtime triumph against the Lethbridge Pronghorns in 2020.
“That was so exciting (the win against the Spartans) because I think it was the first time the women’s basketball program had won a playoff game going to the second round. Being part of that building and the history of the program is so memorable and doing it with that group was so special.”
“Lethbridge was crazy for many different reasons. That season playing with so few players was crazy, I am sure we have talked about that a number of times. Having six people on the bench was just crazy but that again shows how much grit and determination people do have.”
Landry’s younger sister Rebecca also plays for UNBC – both played together in 2019-2020.