Arizona women’s basketball secured a major boost to its frontcourt depth with the commitment of 6‑foot‑2 Canadian forward Ashley Vande Ven. The four‑star recruit announced her decision on Sunday, adding to a class that already features 6‑foot wing Brieana Brown and 6‑foot‑4 power forward Celsy Colombo.
Recruiting credentials
Vande Ven is ranked No. 82 in the ESPN SC Next 100 and earned a scouting grade of 92 from the service. Prospects Nation also rates her as a four‑star prospect and placed her on its Elite 150 list, though she does not appear in the 247Sports or Rivals databases.
Canadian roots, U.S. development
Born in Langley, British Columbia, Vande Ven will travel from Crestwood Prep in Toronto to Tucson. Crestwood has produced notable alumni such as former UConn star and current WNBA player Aaliyah Edwards and Duke All‑American Toby Fournier. Like those graduates, Vande Ven is a dual national of Canada and the United States and participates in the Canadian national program.
International experience
Vande Ven represented Canada at the 2025 FIBA U‑16 Women’s AmeriCup, helping the team capture a silver medal after a loss to the United States in the final. Over six games she averaged 8.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.2 steals and 0.3 blocks in 20.4 minutes per contest, shooting 68.3 % from the field and 40 % from three‑point range. Her performance earned her a spot on the tournament’s All‑Second Team.
She also played at the 2026 FIBA U‑17 Women’s World Cup, where Canada finished fourth. In seven games she posted 10.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.0 blocks while logging 26.2 minutes per game. Vande Ven led the squad in rebounds and blocked shots, shooting 42 % overall and 35 % from beyond the arc.
Fit for the Wildcats
Coach Becky Burke, who guided a top‑20 recruiting class in 2026, praised Vande Ven’s versatility and international experience. The addition of three four‑star players—Brown, Colombo and Vande Ven—positions the Wildcats to field a physically imposing frontcourt that can compete in the Pac‑12 and beyond.
Looking ahead
Arizona fans can view Vande Ven’s highlights on her HUDL profile and on YouTube. As the Wildcats prepare for the 2027 season, the blend of size, skill and proven performance on the world stage suggests a promising future for the program.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
