The road to the Saint Mary’s Huskies women’s basketball program for Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse began in Montreal, Que. where she was raised.
Beginning her basketball career at the age of 10, it didn’t take long before Luberisse began to gain the attention of various coaches.
She played college basketball in Quebec for a few years before deciding to join the Saint Mary’s Huskies.
In her rookie season in 2014-15, head coach Scott Munro coach asked her to do her best to step up for the team after a teammate was injured.
She rose to the challenge—finishing first in team scoring for the Huskies and being named AUS rookie of the year and AUS defensive player of the year. She earned a spot on the AUS first team all-star squad as well as the AUS and CIS (now U Sports) all-rookie teams.
Luberisse earned her first AUS title with the Huskies squad—the team’s third consecutive championship win.
“I love winning so I wanted to be a part of a winning team,” said Luberisse. “SMU women’s basketball team was and still is one of the best teams in the country. Committing to Saint Mary’s was the best decision I could have made. If I had the chance to go back in time, I would choose Saint Mary’s again.”
In her second year with the Huskies, Luberisse became the first AUS athlete to be named the CIS defensive player of the year since the inception of the national award in 2001.
The Saint Mary’s squad also claimed their fourth consecutive title.
For the upcoming seasons, Luberisse has set her sights on winning another AUS championship banner. She also has her sights set on the national championship title.
“I have so many wonderful goals in the near future,” she said. “I expect nothing but the best.”