Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – To say Drew Knox has had some injury troubles is an understatement.
Way back when the 23-year-old MacEwan Griffins guard was in Grade 10 and 11 at Archbishop Jordan in Sherwood Park, knee surgeries cost her two seasons of high school basketball.
More recently, she tore ligaments in her ankle, broke a toe and tweaked her knee again.
None of it stopped her from getting back to playing the game she loves.
Making an inspirational return to a U SPORTS court for the first time in almost three years, Knox suited up for the Griffins on Jan. 3 against the Manitoba Bisons. It was at that moment all of the hard work to get back to full health was 100 per cent worth it.
"Actually, during the national anthem, I just couldn't stop smiling," said Knox. "I was just so excited to be on the court and actually in a warm-up. My teammates are my best friends. It's just so nice to be on the court with them. There's no way to describe it really. It's pretty much pure happiness."
Clearly playing for the love of the game, Knox will lead the Griffins into action against Alberta on Thursday (6 p.m., David Atkinson Gym). The cross-town rivals will meet in the rematch on Saturday (5 p.m., Saville Centre, both on Canada West TV presented by Co-op).
"Her journey to get back to this point has been eventful," said MacEwan head coach Katherine Adams. "I'm thrilled for her. Having persevered through everything that she has, it's incredible to be where she's at."
Right out of high school, Knox initially played three seasons with the Mount Royal University Cougars (from 2014-17). As the 2016-17 season ended for the Cougars with a 79-69 loss to Manitoba on Feb. 11, 2017, Knox very much felt that could be her final basketball game.
"I loved my time at Mount Royal," she said. "It just seemed like it was time to stop playing basketball, which I think a lot of people start to contemplate around their third or fourth year. The year off, I was obviously drawn to the sport again."
In fact, it only took about a month after she moved home. Knox reached out to Adams about transferring to MacEwan and joining the Griffins. So, she redshirted and recovered from injuries while getting acclimated to student-athlete life again during the 2018-19 season.
Not only did the move allow Knox to stay home, it brought her basketball career full circle. As a teenager, she would sit in the stands at MacEwan and cheer on her older sister Courtney, who played for the Griffins women's basketball team from 2007-12.
"Even when I wasn't on a team, I was constantly watching games or checking up on stats on a bunch of players," said Drew Knox. "Almost a month after I quit, I was like 'I have to start training and get back.'
"My sister actually played here quite a while ago. She said her experience here was amazing. Obviously different coaches, but she loved school. She had good words to say and I wanted to move home, so it seemed like a good fit."
Knox comes from an athletic family; dad Gerald played football for the University of Saskatchewan, mom Kathy was a lifeguard and a swimmer and older brothers Reid and Connor played football for the University of Alberta and the Edmonton Wildcats, respectively.
That upbringing instilled in her a love of sport, but basketball was the only game that stuck for the 5-foot-5 guard. Her versatile skill set and veteran leadership are huge for a Griffins team aiming to get back into the Canada West playoff picture for the first time since 2017.
"She's played three years in this league already. As a bit of an older athlete, her experience and leadership from that is something we look to," said Adams. "She has a very high basketball IQ, so her intelligence on the court to lead and put people in positions and direct play that way is (crucial).
"As well, she can score. She can shoot the ball and is just getting her feel back after not having played a game for almost three years. She brings a lot of things to the table, all of which are equally valuable."
While Knox knows it will take time for her to return to top form, she's getting back into the rhythm of live game action.
"Every time I go on the court whether it's a second or a minute, I feel like I'm starting to be more like myself," said the Psychology student-athlete. "It's a little bit different with knee injuries – there's a bit of tentativeness. Every single time (playing), it starts to feel more natural. It's obviously going to take some time playing, but it's still fun to just go out there and play."
In fact, she wouldn't miss the journey for the world. Knox knows how fortunate she is to still be playing the game she loves so dearly.
"I just consider myself really lucky," she said. "A lot of the times, I feel my body's aching and getting sore with a lot more ice after practice than the younger kids. But I'm one of the lucky ones who gets to keep going."
FREE THROWS … MacEwan's annual White Out celebration – honouring Griffins student-athlete award winners and championship teams – will take place at half-time on Thursday … Fans can get free admission to the evening by bringing gently-used winter jackets, mitts or scarves for the Griffins' coat drive for people in need in Edmonton.
