UPEI Women’s Basketball adds point guard Kiana Linton-Brown
Kiana Linton-Brown didn’t always know she wanted to be a basketball player.
Growing up, Linton-Brown was exposed to the game quite a bit because her older brother Shae played, but it was gymnastics and track that consumed her time.
“I didn’t start playing basketball until about Grade 5 or 6,” she said. “My brother wanted me to run track because he believed I could be great.”
Linton-Brown always looked up to Shae and admired everything he accomplished on the court. His love of the game eventually rubbed off on his sister.
“My brother has been my role model my entire life, and I wanted to be like him.”
Like Shae, Linton-Brown decided to go to the east coast to play university basketball. Shae is currently enjoying a strong first year with the Saint Mary’s Huskies, while his sister prepares to join the UPEI Panthers in the fall of 2022.
“We decided to pursue basketball on the east coast because we have family in Nova Scotia,” Linton-Brown said. “My mom was born and raised in Halifax, so we felt that it was the best fit.”
Both Linton-Brown and her brother call Toronto their hometown, and it’s where Linton-Brown established herself as a quick point guard who is tough to defend as she likes to push the ball down the floor.
Linton-Brown credits her time with Canada Elite, a program designed to help elite level basketball players reach their full potential, for helping her tap into her own natural talent. Canada Elite has had many success stories and notable alumni, including Utah Jazz’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker and NBA G League players Justin Jackson and Thon Maker.
“They (Canada Elite) helped me grow and mature me into the person I am today,” said the 18-year-old. “They were the first ones to teach me anything about basketball.”
Linton-Brown has since taken everything she has learned to the high school level, where she captained the Toronto Prep Blues and averaged nine points, three assists, two rebounds, and four steals in her final season.
While steals aren’t the only indicator of a good defender, Panthers head coach Matt Gamblin believes she’ll fit in with his plans.
“We have a recent history of guards who are great on-ball defenders and can really get to the rim,” Gamblin said. “Kiana is a great athlete and will fit into our fast-paced play and defence-first approach very well.”
With several significant players moving on after the season, Linton-Brown will have a chance to make an impact right away.
“Everyone starts from the same place every year,” said Gamblin. “We are graduating probably the best backcourt in program history, so there will be opportunities and chances for people to step up and step in.”
