The York University Lions women's basketball team has inked its third new recruit for the 2021-22 season, welcoming forward Jaz Balan to the roster.
 
Balan, a native of Orleans, Ont., is a 6'0 graduate of St. Peter Catholic High School just east of Ottawa.
 
"We are really excited that Jaz has committed to our Lions family," said Erin McAleenan, head coach of the Lions women's basketball program. "She is a strong forward who finishes well around the rim and rebounds hard. More importantly, Jaz is a smart and keen young woman whose drive to learn fits in great with our growth mindset. Ever since we first started speaking with her, we knew she would be a great addition and we can't wait to have her on campus."
 
Balan's most recent three years of basketball were with the competitive GCBA Wolverines Elite club in Ottawa, where she played an integral part of her team's gold and silver placements at the Ontario Cup. She earned her team's most valuable player award at the end of the 2019-20 season.
 
She also competed at the high school level for St. Peter, earning the Coaches Award playing two different varsity sports – basketball and football.
 
"I chose to commit to York not only because of their academics and athletics, but their school community as well," explained Balan. "The coaches and team were welcoming and provided answers whenever I had questions or concerns. They automatically made me feel like a part of a family and showed me that York was the place for me!"
 
Outside of her competitive prowess on the court, Balan is also engrained as a volunteer at her school and in the community. She was a basketball official and a scorekeeper for other club basketball contests and currently serves as student-body co-president at St. Peter.
 
Academically, Balan earned the principal's award for leadership and was a part of the honour roll in all four years of her high school career. When she arrives on the York campus, she plans to study psychology.
 
She joins a growing list of recruits for the women's basketball team for when they resume play. The class already includes guard Ashanti Christian and fellow forward Alexis Grewal.