Leicester Riders have announced the signing of Sam Ashby on a two-year deal.  

The 5’9” Australian joins the Club following her college career at the University of the Pacific in California, USA. She scored 10.9 per game in her senior year with the Tigers, earning an All-West Coast Conference Honourable Mention selection.  

Ashby led the team in minutes played, free throw percentage and steals, and finished second in rebounding.  

Prior to Pacific, the Perth native played for three years at her hometown Newman College, where she helped her team to three Associated and Catholic Colleges titles. She was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2017 and earned Most Outstanding Female Basketballer honours in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, she led her college to the Marist Grand Final in Sydney. 

While at Newman College, Ashby set the program record for career free throws made and is second all-time in scoring. 

Ashby will also compete for Loughborough University while she completes her Master’s degree. The Club would like to extend their thanks to the University for their support.  

Ashby commented:

“Signing with Leicester brings me so much excitement. I couldn’t be more grateful to have the opportunity to play professionally in another country as well as meet some amazing new people!” 

Head Coach Ben Thomas added:

“We’re extremely happy to have Sam sign at Riders and Loughborough. She’ll bring grittiness to the team from her experience from Australia, but she is also a real offensive threat with her shooting and ability to get downhill.”