Sophomore Forward Capri Sims earned the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women’s Basketball Player of the Week honors on Feb. 10. Sims started her freshman year at CWU in the 2023-2024 season, starting in 27 of 31 games, averaging 9.5 points per game (PPG) and 8.2 rebounds per game. She also led CWU In field goal percentage with 56.8% and had eight double-doubles (when a pla
yer reaches double figures in two of the five main statistical categories – points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks) in that same first season, along with leading the GNAC in offensive rebounds per game with 3.8.
The six-foot sophomore picked right back up where she left off from her freshman year into her sophomore year, already improving and taking charge in the GNAC conference. Sims is currently averaging 10.0 PPG and her league leading 8.2 rebounds per game. Sims has a total of 214 rebounds through the 2024-2025 season.
Sims spoke about how much she has grown as an athlete in her second year at CWU, “I think I’ve grown quite a bit, being put in my position being a little undersized,” Sims said. “But having the mentors I had helped give me confidence in moves and counters helped me grow and have a bunch of options on the floor.”
Looking at how she has improved from one season shows how much her mentors and coach have helped evaluate her game, as Sims has improved her average minutes, three point percentage, assists, and PPG.
Asking her what she brings that contributes to her team’s recent success this season, Sims spoke on her process. “I would say hard work and wanting to compete,” Sims said. “I try to compete on both sides of the ball as much as I can with rebounding and finishing shots and pushing through fatigue.”
Hearing her speak about her competitive nature and stamina, she’s a tough player who fights through adversity and doesn’t let anything stop her from competing for her team. Asking Sims to describe herself to people both on and off the court, she described herself as “a beast on the court” and “a nice easy going person off the court.” She knows when to show her nice side off the court but knows how to switch it off and become the same beast but a different animal on the court.
Sims’ efforts earned her GNAC athlete of the week on Feb 10 and she has become the top rebounder not only for CWU, but the entire GNAC conference. Even with her points dropping from her 20 point game against Seattle Pacific University, her 10.0 PPG is still top 25 in GNAC.
Now coming into the end of the season, Sims has been a big reason for the Wildcat’s success as they currently sit at third in the GNAC with a conference record of 13-4 and an overall record of 20-6. One of their biggest feats this season was taking down Montana State University Billings (MSUB) 48-45 on Jan. 18. MSUB at the time was ranked as the sixth ranked team in division two womens basketball. The Wildcats have one last game on the road in Nampa, Idaho against Northwest Nazarene University on March 1 at 12 P.M.
