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Anie-Pier Samson

Anie-Pier Samson commits to Duquesne University for Women’s Basketball

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Dawson student Samson is getting ready to play Basketball at the university level.

Dawson College Athletics has seen its share of great talent and players recruited at a university level. This is the case for one Dawson student from Saint-Bruno named Anie-Pier Samson, who was being scouted to play university basketball throughout her time at Dawson. Samson created attention on the court due to her size and her ability to take control of the game. That mix attracted attention from ESPN who ranked her 18th overall in the wing position, among all prospects of her age group. This helped her gather attention from various universities across Canada and the United States. Eventually, Samson decided to commit to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to play for the Dukes. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to her about her next step at Duquesne University and what it means to her.

Anie-Pier Samson will finish her time at Dawson College before heading to Duquesne University where she will take Bio Chemical Engineering and compete in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Atlantic 10 Women Basketball division.

Why did you choose Duquesne?

For many reasons! There are a lot of foreign players there and a lot of players that come from Russia, Hungary and Estonia. Russian players made it there that were outsiders and understand how everything works. The coach of the basketball team showed great interest in me. They also have the program I want to study which is Bio Chemical Engineering. That is a brand new program there and it is expanding. Only 25 students get accepted into this program every year and I find it a very interesting program.

What kind of game do you play on the court? What is your style of play?

I have a unique style. I can play all of the positions now in Quebec but there I will likely play more guard and shooting guard. That is because here (Dawson, QC) I am tall, but there (Duquesne, PA) I am kind of small. I have an all-around game. I am a versatile player for sure.

How did it make you feel personally knowing that over 30 schools were interested in you?

Receiving a scholarship offer is a very great honour and once I received even one, it already felt so great. But as I got more offers, it just became a little overwhelming. I mean, I don’t even realize now but I will be leaving in six months to the United States. It is hard to put into words. I just try to take it and live my life.

Was there a preferred school? Were you looking at one school specifically or was Duquesne the school you wanted?

Duquesne was definitely at the top of my list for a really long time and then Princeton got in the game and Harvard offered too. I just don’t think I’d be able to do a big major at Princeton while excelling at Basketball. That would have been difficult. At Duquesne, the program is just building up and it is a great opportunity to be part of that.

What do you feel like you can bring to Duquesne and their basketball program?

I can shoot the ball well. I can bring the ball up as a guard. All around work well on the court. I do have to develop my leadership a bit more but I am working on it and it is coming. So with that, I can bring leadership to the team.

How much has your family or others helped you out and influenced you to continue forward in basketball?

My dad helped me so much. He has been a big part of all my reflections to go there (Duquesne) and how I can be a part of this team as a person and how I can help the team with what I can help with. He just lead me so well with my decisions and never directly telling me what I should do, just always asking me some questions about who I am and who I want to be. I have a personal coach since I was twelve named Danny Vincent who has always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. He is a huge part of how in play today and how I am.

What has Dawson been able to do for you in your basketball career?

I chose Dawson basketball mostly because of Trevor Williams who is our coach (division 1 women’s Basketball). He just showed me a different face of the game that I didn’t know. Mostly about running the floor, aggressiveness of the game and what I was missing. I learned a lot more about the game since I’ve been here.

Looking past Dawson and past Duquesne, where do you hope to go in your basketball career?

I’d look to play pro in Europe. I’m not entirely sure just yet. The dream was to play in a top 50 school with a great major which I am going to do at Duquesne. I definitely want to major in Bio Chemical Engineering and have a great diploma in my back pocket.

Have you ever considered the WNBA as an option going forward?

I have but the WNBA is really overshadowed by the NBA and it is not well payed. It is however better payed in Europe. Maybe go and play in Germany. They have a great program there but I’m just not sure as of now.

You’ve played for lots of basketball teams at different levels in the past, do you believe that you’re ready for a new challenge at the university level?

It is quite a jump from this to the next level. I cannot know now if I’m ready. I can just do all the little things so that I won’t be there and think that I should have done that back in Quebec. The key is to be able to not look back and think that I should have done something differently.

Do you feel like you’re going to continue basketball for all 4 years despite the major you’re looking for?

Yes for sure. I want to play all four of my years there. I am grateful that I can do both things at the same time at Duquesne. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Do you have a favorite team that you’ve played for in the past?

For sure I love Dawson. I played seven years for the St Bruno Cougars. I think Dawson is my favorite team but the Cougars will always have a special place in my heart because I played so long with them. That is the team that I started with.

What has been the highlight of your basketball career so far? The shining moment personally and as a team?

Personally, this has been one of my best seasons. I’m getting a lot of more attention because I feel like I got better over the summer. Definitely all the attention and praise for what I’m doing this year has been great. As a team, when we won the U15 National Championship for Team Quebec. That was a great moment that I won’t forget.

Interview by Eric Beaudoin, edited by Elisabeth Roy



Last Modified: December 4, 2015