Zarrelle Gopher

Born and raised in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, I grew up as the youngest sibling, eagerly mimicking everything my older brothers and sister did. My passion for basketball began early with family games, but it wasn’t until grade 9, when I joined my local club team, that I started to take the sport seriously.

One of my proudest achievements is being the first in my family to play post-secondary basketball. A standout memory for me was competing against BC United in Langley in 2019, where I had a particularly intense moment on the court—I broke an opponent’s ankle during a game, marking a significant and unforgettable highlight of my career.

In August 2022, while visiting my grandmother in the hospital, I shared my excitement about an upcoming native basketball tournament. Her encouragement and enthusiasm were deeply moving, and she urged me to continue playing and complete my education. Sadly, she passed away two weeks later before I could visit her again for my birthday. I played my heart out in that tournament as a tribute to her, and the recorded games from that tournament became my motivation to reach out to college coaches and persist in my basketball journey. Her memory fuels my determination, and I remain committed to never giving up.

Growing up ambidextrous, I naturally shoot with my right hand in basketball. I also have a superstition about matching my socks and shoes—it’s a small ritual that helps me feel prepared and focused.

My key piece of advice for aspiring athletes is to recognize that you are your own best teacher. No matter how skilled your coach may be, it’s up to you to listen, absorb, and practice the lessons they impart. This mindset shift helped build my confidence, reinforcing that if I put in the effort to understand and practice, I can continually improve and achieve my goals.