In a significant boost for Arizona women's basketball, the Wildcats have secured a commitment from 6-foot-2 forward Ashley Vande Ven, a promising talent from Canada. This announcement came on Sunday and adds to an already impressive 2027 recruiting class, which includes fellow four-star recruits Brieana Brown, a 6-foot wing, and Celsy Colombo, a 6-foot-4 power forward. Head coach Becky Burke is clearly focused on building a formidable roster for the future.
Ranked No. 82 in the ESPN SC Next 100, Vande Ven holds a scouting grade of 92, showcasing her potential on the court. In addition to her ESPN ranking, she is recognized as a four-star recruit by Prospects Nation, where she is included in the Elite 150, although she does not appear in their top 60 players. Notably, she is not currently ranked by 247sports or Rivals, indicating a potential for growth as she continues her development.
Vande Ven hails from Langley, British Columbia, but has been honing her skills at Crestwood Prep in Toronto, a school known for producing elite basketball talent, including former UConn star Aaliyah Edwards and current Duke All-American Toby Fournier. Her journey from British Columbia to Toronto has allowed her to compete at a high level, and she has made a name for herself in the basketball community.
As a dual national of Canada and the United States, Vande Ven is part of the Canadian national program and has represented her country in international competitions. She played a key role in helping Canada secure a silver medal at the 2025 FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup, where she averaged 8.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game. Her performance was instrumental in the team’s success, and she earned a spot on the all-tournament second team after shooting an impressive 68.3 percent from the field.
In the following year, Vande Ven continued to shine on the international stage, participating in the 2026 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup. There, she averaged 10.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, further establishing herself as a key player for her national team. Despite Canada finishing fourth in the tournament after a loss to Australia in the third-place match, Vande Ven led her team in rebounds and blocks, showcasing her all-around game.
With her commitment, Arizona is well on its way to assembling another top recruiting class, following a successful 2026 season where Burke's team ranked in the top 20. The addition of Vande Ven, along with her fellow recruits, positions the Wildcats for future success as they aim to compete at the highest levels of college basketball.
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