For Laura Dally, basketball has opened up a world of possibilities. More recently though, it’s literally opened up the world.

This past summer, Dally had the opportunity to play for Canada Basketball’s Development Women’s National Team at the FISU Games in Gwangju, South Korea. She was one of four University of Saskatchewan Huskies to compete at the games, and the only basketball player.

The FISU Games, also known as the Summer Universiade, took place from July 3-14, 2015.  Over 9,000 student athletes and officials gathered together to compete in 14 different sports.

Dally’s journey began with an invitation to attend a Canada Basketball tryout camp in Toronto.  Although she was only one of a handful of CIS athletes there, she didn’t let that bother her.

“I went because I just thought we had a great season, our team did, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ I just went in with an open mind and I got picked with 12 other amazing athletes,” Dally said.

However, it wasn’t just optimism that allowed Dally to join the team — her outstanding athletics helped as well. This past year, she averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.  These statistics ranked her number one in the Canada West Basketball Conference. 

To say Dally was excited about attending the FISU Games would be an understatement.

“I was emotional, just because when you take a year off of school and basketball it’s hard to get back into it, so I just felt as if all that work paid off,” Dally said. “I called my parents right away and they understood that feeling as well, and so [I felt] very happy and very thankful for the support I had back home and here at the U of S.”

The actual games gave her a taste of what it’s like to be a world-class athlete, both on and off the court.

“It’s kind of like a mini Olympics,” Dally said, “So I met all types of different athletes from different countries, and they did different sports.”

“On the court you get international play, which is different. Like, you’re playing teams such as Korea, Russia and it’s not your Canada Basketball style of play, it’s different kinds of play, and then you also get to see the world, which is amazing,”

The Canadian Development Women’s National Team ended up finishing in second place, facing off against the United States in the gold medal game on July 13. For Dally, this was the standout moment.

Undoubtedly, basketball has changed Dally’s life, but it’s the lessons off the court that have made the biggest impact.

“It’s a great sport, but mostly I feel that athletes gain things off the court, like skills to take into the workforce, or being able to be personable with people. I’ve met so many people — coaches, athletes, trainers and doctors just from playing on these different teams, so I feel that that’s what I take away most,” Dally said.

Despite her world travels, Dally has found her place with the Huskies basketball team.

“I love playing with my team. We work very hard, but also at the same time have fun doing it.”