Erica Gavel
Biography
Erica Gavel has been passionate about basketball ever since she can remember. A star on the rise, she was a highly sought-after recruit coming out of high school and went on to play for the University of Saskatchewan women’s basketball program. However, her career was cut short after a serious knee injury forced Gavel to the sidelines.
That was before she discovered wheelchair basketball and found that same passion for basketball could transfer to the wheelchair game. The native of Prince Albert, Sask. brings a lot of positive energy and enthusiasm to compliment her basketball skills and she describes her style of play as a ‘grinder’ on the court.
Since taking up the sport in 2012, she has fast tracked her way to competing for her home province and earning an athletic scholarship to the University of Alabama.
Gavel ultimately set her sights on representing Team Canada at the Paralympic Games. She took a step in that direction in 2014 after seizing a full-time roster spot on the Senior Women’s National Team and finally represented the maple leaf at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016. “To play at the pinnacle of sport is a tremendous honour. I am very grateful for this opportunity,” says Gavel of donning the Canadian jersey.
Outside of basketball, Gavel is passionate about her studies and enjoys giving back to her community. She devotes time to promoting sport to young girls and living a healthy, active lifestyle.
Interesting Facts
- Played basketball for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies (2009-2012)
- In addition to wheelchair basketball, she once represented Team Saskatchewan in softball
Awards / Highlights
- Received an athletic scholarship to compete for the women’s wheelchair basketball team at the University of Alabama
Major International Competition
| Tournament |  |
 |
 |
Other |
| Paralympic Games: 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5th (’16) |
| World Junior Championships: 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4th (’15) |
| World Championships: 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5th (’18) |
Statistics
World Championships
| Year | GP | Min | M/G | Field Goals | 3Pts | Free Throws | Rebounds | AS | TO | ST | BS | PF | FO | PTS | P/G | |||||
| M/A | % | M/A | % | M/A | % | OR | DR | TOT | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | 5 | 42:59 | 8:35 | 7/13 | 54 | 0/2 | 0 | 0/0 | – | 0 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 2.8 |
| TOTAL | 5 | 42:59 | 8:35 | 7/13 | 54 | 0/2 | 0 | 0/0 | – | 0 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 2.8 |
Legend: GP = Games Played; Min = Minutes; M/G = Minutes per Game; M/A = Made / Attempted; OR = Offensive Rebounds; DR = Defensive Rebounds; TOT = Total; AS = Assists; TO = Turn Overs; ST = Steals; BS = Blocked Shots;PF = Personal Foul; FO = Foul On; PTS = Points; P/G = Points per Game
Competitive Experience
| Level | Team | Location | Year(s) |
| Club (domestic) | National Academy | Canada | 2016-Present |
| International | Canada (SWNT) | Canada | 2014-Present |
| International | Canada (JWNT) | Canada | 2015 |
| Club (domestic) | University of Alabama | United States | 2013-2014 |
| Club (domestic) | Saskatchewan | Canada | 2013-Present |
Career Notes
2019:1st place at 2019 Lima Parapan American Games…1st place at the 2e open feminin handibasket international (Team Canada)…1st place at the Nations Cup (Team Canada)…1st place at the 2019 NWBA Finals with the Toronto Rollin Raptors in Cleveland, Ohio (Named All Star)
2018: 2nd place at the 2018 NWBA National Championship (Div 2) with the Toronto Rollin Raptors (domestic); Named an All-Star…3rd place at 2018 CWBL Women’s National Championship…3rd place at Continental Clash in Sheffield, GB (Team Canada)…2nd place at the Lyon Competition in Lyon, France (Team Canada)…5th place at the 2018 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships (Team Canada)
2017: 1st place at Americas Cup in Cali Colombia (Team Canada)…
2016: 5th place at Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Team Canada)… 4th place at Continental Clash in Worcester, Great Britain (Team Canada)… 4th place at Dutch Battle in Almere, Netherlands (Team Canada)… 2nd place at Women’s International Friendly Tournament in Colorado Springs, United States (Team Canada)… 3rd place at Toronto Challenge in Toronto, Canada (Team Canada)… 3rd place at CWBL Women’s National Championship with the Calgary Rollers in Longueuil, QC (domestic)… Nominated for YWCA Saskatoon 2016 Women of Distinction Award in Saskatoon, SK (domestic)…
2015: 2nd place at Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada (Team Canada)… 4th place at Women’s U25 World Championship in Beijing, China. (Team Canada)… 4th place at Osaka Cup in Osaka, Japan (Team Canada)… 3rd place at CWBL Women’s National Championship with Team Saskatchewan in Calgary, Alta. (domestic)…
2014: 3rd place at Toronto Challenge in Toronto, Ont. (Team Canada)… 6th place at CWBL Women’s National Championship with Team Saskatchewan in Richmond, B.C. (domestic)… 1st place at Junior National Championship with Team Saskatchewan in Edmonton, Alta. (domestic)… 2nd place at National Intercollegiate Championship (NIWBT) with the University of Alabama in Arlington, Texas, USA (domestic)…
2013: 5th place at CWBL Women’s Championship with Team Saskatchewan in Longueuil, Que. (domestic)…2nd place at Junior West Regional Championship with Saskatchewan A in Prince George, B.C. (domestic)…