Leicester Riders are excited to announce the signing of Canadian Shae Sanchez for the 2024-25 season.
Sanchez has prior experience in British basketball, having suited up for Manchester Mystics for the 2022-23 season. The 5’9” guard put up 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game from the backcourt, finishing the season as Manchester’s second-leading scorer.
Prior to her professional career, Sanchez spent four seasons in college, spending her junior and season years with Northeastern State University. As a senior, she averaged 9.6 points per game and dished 80 assists, which tied a programme record.
She played two seasons at College of Sequoias in Visalia before to landing in NSU, and recorded 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game in her sophomore year. Sanchez earned Central Valley Conference First Team honours both seasons, and was named First Team CCCAA All-State as a sophomore and Third Team as a freshman.
Sanchez sat out last season in order to rehabilitate an injury sustained in Manchester, and is ready to suit up with the Riders having returned to playing fitness.
She will also compete for Loughborough University, where she will study for her master’s degree. The Club would like to thank the University for their continued support.
Sanchez said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to Super League Basketball with the Leicester Riders under Coach Ben’s leadership. I’m grateful to the coaching staff and the club for giving me this opportunity, and I can’t wait to contribute my best efforts and play my part in driving the team forward.
“I’m excited to meet my teammates, get to work, and build towards what we hope will be a successful season!”
Head Coach Ben Stanley added: “It’s great to have Shae with us at the University and the SLB team. She’s a high-character person with a great work ethic, and she has experience playing in the League with her time at Manchester, where she put up good numbers.
“She’s a proven quantity in British basketball, and she’s had time to rehab from injuries sustained that season. Her energy and effort will be massive for us, giving us a really solid contribution and another great person on the squad.”
