Twin star basketball players join the U of R Cougars

The University of Regina Cougars have just picked up twin basketball stars from Manitoba for the 2016-17 Canadian Interuniversity Sport season.

Kyia and Kyanna Giles announced on Wednesday that they will be suiting up for the Cougars Women's Basketball Team and attending the U of R.

"Honestly, I'm filled with excitement," Kyia said after the announcement at the Sisler High School in Winnipeg.

The sisters picked up the ball in about Grade 4. More recently, they played with the Manitoba Provincial Team and helped bring Manitoba its first National Championship in 2014.

• Winnipeg twins score basketball scholarship deal with University of Regina

They were recruited by universities across Canada and even in the United States. Kyanna said they chose Regina because it is still close to their family and because of the team's reputation.

"The coach was awesome, the players were awesome," Kyanna said of her tour of the university.

The twins are also happy to continue to play together.

"I feel like we play better together, just me knowing where she is, getting that basket, everything just clicks on the court," Kyanna said.  

For the twin's mother Carolyn, the choice means that the family can still come and cheer them on.

"I feel very blessed. I love them. They are my pride and joy. They make me happy," she said.

In addition to their time on the court, Kyia will be taking business classes and Kyanna will be studying kinesiology.

'They want to win' Cougars coach excited for twins to join the team

Cougars coach Dave Taylor said he began recruitment of the twins when they were in Grade 9.

"They can change how we play," he said. "They just love to play basketball."

Taylor said the team will lose three starters this year so it was important to bring in dynamic players.

"I have a pretty good feel for what we've got coming in Saskatchewan, and more important what we are going to lose," he said.

During the recruitment, Taylor said he emphasized how close Regina is to home, but also pointed out how well Saskatchewan teams are doing.  The Cougars have a 16-2 record this season and are about face their provincial rivals at the University of Saskatchewan, a team ranked number one in the country.

"I always tell players you have to find the right situation for yourself and luckily for them it was us," Taylor said.