(submitted photo/University of Lethbridge Pronghorns)

By Mat Barrett

Coach Crozon

Humboldt’s Crozon joins University of Lethbridge basketball coaching staff

Aug 27, 2020 | 5:10 PM

A new venture for Humboldt’s own Paige Crozon.

The basketball star is now starting her coaching career as an assistant coach with the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns of USports. Crozon told northeastNOW that coaching was a natural progression for her in basketball and that she wants to give what her coaches gave her.

“During my university career, I felt like my coach had a really big influence,” she said. “Not just on my playing career, but also on my life, so I wanted to have that opportunity to provide that to other young women, and combining my passion for the game.”

The opportunity that came from Lethbridge begins somewhat with her sister who lives in Lethbridge and used to play and coach there as well. Crozon said with her sister knowing she was looking to begin coaching, the head coach of the Pronghorns, Dave Adams came calling to offer her a spot on the bench.

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Crozon has started her training through Basketball Canada and other organizations to become a coach. She said there are a total of nine courses that need to be completed, and it’s going to be a strenuous process that might take around two years to complete.

Being so early in her coaching career, Crozon said she’s still trying to find her style.

“I just always want to be genuine and stay true to my values,” she said. “No matter what circumstances my team or I face.”

There’s still some uncertainty with all sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Crozon said the team plans to begin practicing in September and hopefully begin play in January. She said there will be a coaches meeting in October regarding roles on the bench, but Crozon said one reason she was hired was to focus on player and skill development.

Crozon added as a player, they’re almost told to run an offence or a defence and go with it. She said a goal as a coach is to learn a bit more of the intricacies of basketball in that sense.

Crozon spent her university basketball career at the University of Utah and was a two-year captain. She was the 27th player in Utes history to score 1,000 points. Her success in university led Crozon to a short period of time playing professional overseas. Recently, the 26-year-old put on the red and white representing Canada on the 3×3 circuit where they won four tournaments in the summer of 2019. However, that’s not quite in the rearview mirror quite yet.

“I will have opportunities to, one; train and practice with the athletes, if I want,” Crozon said. “And secondly, I’m at the gym all the time anyway, so it’s really easy to get in and work out and shoot hoops when I need, so my plan is to be playing 3×3 next summer also.”

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6