The Brandon University Bobcats knew it’d be tough to replace Ella Averill, whom coach Ilarion Bonhomme developed from a talented but unpolished rookie to an NCAA Division I forward in just one season.
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The Brandon University Bobcats knew it’d be tough to replace Ella Averill, whom coach Ilarion Bonhomme developed from a talented but unpolished rookie to an NCAA Division I forward in just one season.
The Brandon University Bobcats knew it’d be tough to replace Ella Averill, whom coach Ilarion Bonhomme developed from a talented but unpolished rookie to an NCAA Division I forward in just one season.
Only time will tell, but they might have done it.
The Bobcats replaced the Australian forward with another National Basketball League 1 forward, six-foot-two Josephine Odude.
Australian Josephine Odude has joined the Brandon University women's basketball team for the 2026-27 Canada West season. (Submitted)
“I’m super excited,” Odude said. “Stuff like this, it feels like something that would only happen in a movie, because I’ve grown up in Perth and to be recruited across the world to play basketball in Canada, it’s kind of like a dream.”
Bonhomme saw Odude play while watching Averill play in NBL1 and realized he could have another high-impact forward.
“Incredibly athletic, especially for 6-2. The way she moves, her versatility, offensively and defensively, is really special. She has so much potential she wants to tap into and I think we can help her,” Bonhomme said.
