Andrea Wright has taken many shots in her basketball career.
Two years ago, she took a shot like never before.
Wanting to continue playing basketball at a high level, the American reached out to the Maritime Women’s Basketball Association, seeking information on playing.
Her shot in the dark found mesh and her MWBA career launched.
Wright arrived in Canada on a cold April weekend from her home in California, landing on a Saturday morning at the Fredericton International Airport. Four hours later she was on the floor with the Fredericton Freeze, eventually earning a roster spot and playing the 2023 season in New Brunswick’s capital.
The personable – and adventurous – Wright spent last season playing with the Lake City 56ers of Dartmouth/Cole Harbour, one of the rare MWBA players to play for teams on both sides of the provincial border.
‘The MWBA was a unique opportunity to play basketball at a high level for a short period of time while still being relatively close to home,’ said Wright, originally from Baltimore, MD. ‘I had unfinished business in my mind. I wanted to play in another country. I wanted high level competition and I wanted my family and friends to have access to videos of the games either live or on demand.’
Success.
Wright certainly arrived in Canada with basketball – and more importantly – life skillsets.
Decorated with a number of education degrees, Wright earned her PhD in electrical engineering at the University of South Florida, a Master of Science in computer engineering from University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Administration in computer science from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.
Did we mention she is also an accomplished musician?
And so much more from fitness commitment to her profession in the United States Navy to cooking and gardening.
She played basketball at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I level with University of Pennsylvania and Bucknell. It was her time with Bucknell that she appeared in one March Madness tournament. Wright, who would go on to play professionally in Europe, also competed in NCAA track and field at two different schools.
Wright arrived in Canada as a 35-year-old ready to compete.
She fell in love with the country and the Maritimes.
Even using city slang to describe her arrival.
‘I was 37 when I landed in Freddy and knew I still had the talent, drive and skillset to compete as a player 35 and over,’ she said. ‘I wanted to prove I could still hang and hold my own. What I learned was that fitness and routine play a huge role in accomplishing that goal. Once I left after my first season in the MWBA, I revamped my training, lost over eight kilograms and came back smarter and a bit faster which helped me jump higher. At times, anyway.’
She played a key role with Lake City during the 2024 season, helping the 56ers earn a spot in the Pro*Line Legacy Cup championship game where they fell to eventual champion Halifax Thunder.
The road to that final in Halifax featured one of the MWBA’s best-ever games, a dramatic semifinal and single point, last second win over the Freeze, her former team.
‘Championship weekend was absolutely amazing and that Freeze game was a thriller,’ she said. ‘That game got the best out of our team, so we definitely went into the championship less than 100 per cent. I believe a healthy 56ers team brings a different outcome, but hats off to the Thunder on an excellent season and championship win. It was just an incredible environment. I’m happy the 56s had a chance to experience that.’
It’s been a whirlwind couple of spring and summers for Wright, but she knows she made the right choice landing in Canada.
‘The level of basketball in the MWBA did not surprise me at all,’ she said. ‘I knew the league was sending athletes overseas and on to professional contracts. Practices were intense and the coaching was great. If anything, the game was a bit more physical than I expected.’
Living in tiny Lake Elsinore, CA, Wright is busy these days now that she is back home.
Wright is an officer in the US Navy Reserves. She plans to compete in USA Masters Track and Field events and is coaching as a volunteer at a local high school with the girls’ program.
Which means her schedule is jammed.
Those who know Wright understand she doesn’t do idle time well.
She is uncertain what 2025 brings.
A chance to return to the MWBA is certainly there. It’s on her mind, but she also knows she can return to take in the scenery, ocean or river sights and so much more.
‘Everyone back home was excited and happy for me knowing how much I wanted to hoop when I went to Canada,’ she said. ‘To do this after multiple graduate programs meant I would be older, but my friends and family were glad I didn’t let age and time stop me from pursuing one of my dreams.’
It all started with a note of playing interest in late 2022.
Quite an adventure.
‘I want to thank staff of the Freeze and 56ers for everything they did to welcome me,’ she said. ‘I had a wonderful time in Fredericton, Dartmouth and Cole Harbour. All of my MWBA teammates hold a special place in my heart.’
– Andrea Wright (5) defending against her former teammates in MWBA action (Fran Harris Photo)