KINGSTON, Ont. (April 12, 2012) – Queen's women's basketball head coach Dave Wilson is pleased to announce that point guard Emily Hazlett of Fredericton has committed to play for the Gaels starting in the 2012-13 season.

"When I first saw Emily play, it was clear that her basketball IQ was very high as she is a calm, composed point guard, with great court vision and excellent ball handling and passing skills," said coach Wilson.  "Also a tenacious defender, Emily led her high school team to an almost perfect season, eventually capturing the provincial championship, knocking off the three time defending champions, with a dominating 21 point win.  Her winning attitude,  competitive drive, and relentless work ethic, will ensure her success at Queen's."

Hazlett, a 5-foot 6 point guard, was a 2011-12 New Brunswick All-Star and won the New Brunswick varsity girls AAA provincial championship this season. Hazlett won her second consecutive Fredericton high school varsity basketball MVP award after taking the honour last year in 2010-11. The Fredericton native was also a member of the New Brunswick under 17 and under 15 provincial basketball teams.

"When I travelled up to visit for a couple days, I instantly fell in love with the campus and really felt like I could be part of the team," said Hazlett on commiting with the Gaels. "The girls and the coach treated me like I was one of them already. I couldn't possibly give up the opportunity to attend such a highly respected institution or to play for a respected coach like Dave. I look forward to developing my basketball career with the Gaels while also helping contribute to my new teammates on and off the floor. I am excited to finally be returning to the city where I was born, and to continue the Hazlett tradition at Queen's."

Hazlett has a few Kingston connections as her father Mark is a Kingston native whose brother and nephew both played football for the Gaels. Hazlett's parents Mark and Leanne, both played for the University of New Brunswick basketball teams. Leanne previously had scrimmaged with the Gaels teams before becoming pregnant with Emily, who was born in Kingston.

Hazlett joins the Gaels 2012 recruiting class along with Nicole Morse of Cottam, Ont., which was announced Tuesday, and Robyn Pearson of Toronto, Ont.,  Laura Baker of West Vancouver, B.C. and Maria Gill of Holland Landing, Ont.