Lady Griz sign guard from New Zealand

Had you happened to be in the capital city of Port Moresby in the country of Papua New Guinea last October, you might have been drawn to the cheering coming from the arena hosting the title game of the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship between New Zealand and Australia.

Australia, stacked with 6-foot-2 talent that will soon be coming to a professional league near you, won the game, per usual, but the victory did not come as easily as expected, not with New Zealand's Kavanah Lene, a 5-foot-9 guard from Christchurch, putting up 27 points on the favorites.

"For her to have 27 against a team like that, she showed she belonged on the floor and then some," said Montana women's basketball coach Brian Holsinger. "If you're able to perform like that against a team like that, there is something special about you."

Lene (whose name is pronounced kah-VAWN-ah LEAN-ee) will be bringing that special something to the Lady Griz next season after signing a National Letter of Intent this spring.

"I love her international experience," said Holsinger, who will be able to watch Lene next month compete at the FIBA U18 Women's Asian Championship in Shenzhen, China, New Zealand's reward for its runner-up finish in Papua New Guinea.

Finish top four in China and New Zealand will clinch a spot to next year's FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup, which will be hosted by the Czech Republic. "She has played against and with high-level competition," added Holsinger.

Lene, who was named to the All-Star 5 at last fall's Oceania Championship, has competed in locales as far-reaching as Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (Basketball Without Borders Asia) and Atlanta, Georgia (NBA Academy Women's Games).

And, yes, being from New Zealand, she has played a bit of rugby, for her prep school, St. Andrew's College.

"Her video really popped out to me as someone who is versatile and has a lot of upside," said Holsinger. "Her athleticism stood out right away. She can really jump, she can shoot the three, she can get to the rim and block shots. She can do a little bit of everything. Her all-around ability is really high-level."

She will give Montana two freshmen when next season rolls around. The Lady Griz signed Avery Waddington from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in November.

"You want to get freshmen who are good enough to play and compete but who are not expecting the world right away, players who are okay that it's hard as a freshman and that you have to earn it. I think that's important," said Holsinger.

"You want them to be able to step in and contribute right away, but if they don't, are they going to be able to work through that and continue to get better? (Kavanah) has that kind of drive and is really appreciative of the opportunity."

Holsinger, who has traveled to Australia for recruiting purposes numerous times in his coaching career and has the connections that have come from those visits, was tipped off to Lene last fall. Montana's coaches were in conversation with her by December.

"I chose Montana because of the strong faith community and the amazing coaching staff," said Lene. "The program and the team culture that the Lady Griz hold is one that will look after me not only on the court but off the court as well."

Lene's team at St. Andrew's College finished second at New Zealand's Secondary Schools National Championship in 2022. She was named to the all-tournament team.

"She is a perfect fit from a cultural standpoint. She comes from a really good family that has strong values," said Holsinger. "It wasn't just about playing. She is excited about being part of the culture we've established here. She was the perfect find for us. She'll fit in perfectly."

University of Montana Athletics

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