A broken foot derailed Courtney Donaldson's basketball dream. But it didn't dull her passion

A broken foot last year derailed Courtney Donaldson's dream of playing professional basketball in Europe. But it did nothing to dull her passion for the sport.

The 26-year-old Donaldson, originally from Kelowna, B.C., played university basketball for the Calgary Dinos and the Saint Mary's Huskies, where she was an Atlantic University Sport second-team all-star in 2023-24.

She now plays in the Maritime Women's Basketball Association for the Lake City 56ers, based in Dartmouth, N.S. She recently became the league's career scoring leader with 409 points.

Donaldson said the injury affected all aspects of her life. It also changed her perspective.

She is making the best out of playing in the regional circuit while coaching children and working full time. 

"I'm not the player I used to be, but just being able to see people get better and their improvements in some girls on my team … that to me is super important," she said. 

She said the foot injury came at a bad time because she had been contacted by European pro teams.

"I [had] a lot of interest to go play overseas," she said. "Unfortunately, with my injury, I kind of put those aside."

She said it was hard to be sidelined from her local team as well.

Team general manager Colter Simmonds said he had to tell her during their last game that she couldn't play. 

"She was in tears, but I said no," he said. 

Donaldson said the year she spent without playing was "definitely a crazy adjustment."

Simmonds said Donaldson has overcome a lot. That is why he says it is rewarding to see her efforts pay off in the Maritime league and off the court as well.

"She's bubbly," he said. "She's a go-getter. She really loves the game of basketball and she's using basketball as a way to give back to the community," he said. 

Donaldson, averaging just over 14 points per game this season, says her foot still hurts, but it isn't as bad as it used to be.

She is now putting her attention on enjoying the game. Her team is at the top of the standings with a 7-1 record.