Doiron Commits To REDS
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women’s basketball team is naming home grown and heralded point guard Sophie Doiron, of Dieppe, as the first member of their recruiting class of 2026.
The 17-year-old has signed a U SPORTS Letter of Intent and will join the REDS ahead of the 2026-2027 Atlantic University Sport season.
“We’re proud to welcome Sophie to the UNB REDS family,” said REDS’ head coach Erin McAleenan. “She’s one of the top recruits in Atlantic Canada, and keeping a talent of her calibre here in New Brunswick speaks volumes about her character and her belief in what we’re building at UNB.”
Finishing her Grade 12 year at Dieppe’s École Mathieu-Martin, Doiron is a veteran member of the Vedettes’ varsity girls’ team and has considerable experience with Basketball New Brunswick programs.
She captained New Brunswick’s 2025 Canada Games team and represented the province at national championship tournaments in 2024 and 2023.
With the Vedettes, Doiron was named MVP of the 2025 New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association’s AAA championship game and was named a 2025 NBIAA all-star.
“I can’t wait to compete in such a driven environment, alongside some of the best student-athletes in the league, and to learn under the incredible coaching staff led by Coach McAleenan,” said Doiron. “The support that UNB student-athletes receive from alumni and the surrounding community is special, and I’m thrilled to experience that first-hand beginning next season.”
The 5’10” Doiron chose UNB after generating interest from programs across the country.
“That’s a testament to her ability and potential,” said McAleenan. “Sophie is a highly competitive, true point guard with excellent court vision. Her ability to score from all three levels combined with her length and love for defence allows her to defend multiple positions. Her basketball IQ, leadership, and versatility will elevate our program on and off the court. We expect her to have the ability to make an impact beginning early in her university career.”
Doiron says her goals include contributing to the REDS’ pursuit of conference and national championships and, short term, to compete for AUS Rookie of the Year.
She says she’s established ambitious goals, but goals that she’ll work hard to achieve with the support of the REDS program.
“I think my dedication and leadership will support the team’s success,” she said. “I always try to put team goals above individual ambitions and am looking forward to learning from and growing with my REDS teammates.”
“Sophie is someone we’ve been recruiting since the day I arrived at UNB three years ago,” said Coach McAleenan. “We’ve built a strong relationship and have been intentional about showing her what it means to be a RED. A major focus has been getting back to a place where the top New Brunswick talent believes in staying home, developing at a high level, and representing their province at UNB. Sophie’s decision speaks to that vision, and we’re excited for her to be part of helping us continue to build that culture.”
Doiron will study Kinesiology while attending UNB.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS
PHOTO BY: Kyle Rogers/for UNB REDS