For Madison Landry, basketball provided championships, accolades, and opportunities to compete at the highest levels of university and professional sport. But just as importantly, it provided friendships and life lessons, all with her friends, family and hometown community seated in the front row. 

This summer, Landry's remarkable journey becomes immortalized as she takes her place on the UNBC Timberwolves Wall of Honour.

Landry's path to the Wall of Honour began long before she ever pulled on a Timberwolves jersey. From her early days in the Prince George Minor Basketball Association to a provincial championship career at Duchess Park Secondary, she developed under a network of coaches, teammates, and supporters who helped foster both her athletic ability and character.

"When I think of basketball, I wouldn't even say I think of the actual sport anymore," said Landry. "I remember being a little kid so nervous about making mistakes and being encouraged by coaches and teammates to be the best player and person I could be."

Among those who recognized her potential early was UNBC Women's Basketball Head Coach Sergey Shchepotkin.

"I have clear memories of her at Jr. Timberwolves camps," recalled Shchepotkin. "I'd explain tougher drills to them — things that I'd already implemented with the University Timberwolves — and the only younger player who could consistently execute those was Madi. She was in Grade 11 and was executing at a level that rivalled a lot of the players that I already had on my university roster."
Shchepotkin knew immediately what kind of player he was watching.

"I really wanted her to play at UNBC," he said. "I knew she was heavily recruited, but luckily she had such a close network of family and friends here locally which helped keep her here."
The decision would prove transformative for both Landry and the Timberwolves program.

Fresh off a stellar high school career that included a provincial championship and tournament MVP honours at the 2016 BC High School Championships, Landry arrived at UNBC ready to contribute immediately. As a first-year player, she averaged 7.6 points per game and earned both Academic All-Canadian status and the program's Rookie of the Year award.

More importantly, she almost instantly earned the trust of her coaching staff.

"Even in her first season at UNBC, I could trust her late in games to do what needed to be done," said Shchepotkin. "At the end of the game she was one of our best finishers. She had no fear. She played the game freely and didn't doubt herself. I could trust her and I gave her a lot of critical moments to finish and most of the time it was successful."

That confidence became the foundation for one of the most accomplished careers in program history.

Over four seasons, Landry developed into one of the premier players in Canada West. She finished her UNBC career with 1,668 points, 242 rebounds, and 212 assists while helping lead the Timberwolves to four consecutive Canada West playoff appearances.

As her individual numbers grew, so too did the stature of the program.

"When I first arrived, I was mainly trying to find my footing," said Landry. "Every year we were building and growing. Bigger schools were taking us more seriously. We were getting more wins. Each year we got better and worked a little bit harder."

By her senior season in 2019-20, Landry was averaging nearly 20 points per game and earned Canada West Third Team All-Star honours while being named the team's Most Valuable Player and recipient of the prestigious KJM Sales Timberwolf Award.

More importantly, she had become one of the driving forces behind a culture shift within the program.



"Madi was here at a time where our program became a team that other schools had to respect," said Shchepotkin. "She was a huge part in bringing that winning spirit and culture to UNBC. She was so coachable. Anything she put her mind to, she did with 100 percent of her effort. The team gained so much energy from her."

One of the constants throughout Landry's basketball journey was fellow Prince George product and longtime teammate Emily Holmes.

The two first crossed paths as children growing up just two doors apart, eventually spending more than a decade competing alongside one another through minor basketball, high school, and ultimately at UNBC.

Even at a young age, Holmes could see the qualities that would eventually make Landry one of the top players in Canada West.

"Madi played every sport growing up. She was so versatile. She had long arms, she was agile, and I always knew I could throw any pass and she'd catch it. Once she chose basketball as her main sport, she took off immediately."

When Landry committed to UNBC, Holmes knew exactly what the Timberwolves were getting.

"I was pumped when we knew Madi was coming to UNBC," said Holmes. "When you play with somebody for 10 years, two hours a day, five days a week, you're going to build a strong relationship. I knew it was such a win for our team."

Holmes describes Landry's greatest strength not as her scoring ability, but her mentality.

"She's one of the most care-free confident players I've ever played with," she said. "Stats, numbers, family, friends — external pressures never seemed to impact her that much. She had confidence no matter what. You knew what you were going to get from her."

That consistency became a hallmark of Landry's career.

Whether it was delivering a crucial basket, taking on a defensive assignment, or stepping into a leadership role, teammates knew exactly what to expect.

"She'd always step up," said Holmes. "Offensively, defensively, she was always on board with what needed to be done. As a point guard I could always lean on her. Not everybody could do everything like she could. She could fit into whatever role you needed her to be."
 
For Landry, the memories that stand out most aren't the statistics or awards.

Instead, they're the people.

From her early coaches in Prince George Minor Basketball to her teammates at Duchess Park and UNBC, Landry credits the community around her for shaping her journey.
"Basketball gave me so much more than the sport itself," she said. "I met incredible coaches, teammates and mentors who always looked out for me and helped me become the best player and person I could be."

Among those memories, one remains particularly special.

"I'm so grateful I was able to play with my sister Rebecca," said Landry. "That was one of the most fun and amazing times of my life."

She also points to the trust shown in her by Shchepotkin as a defining factor in her development.

"Sergey had a trust in me throughout my career that I didn't always have in myself," she said. "That really helped me grow as a player and as a person."

Following her UNBC career, Landry's basketball journey took her overseas to Luxembourg, where she launched a professional career and averaged nearly 18 points per game.
Shchepotkin was never surprised by her success.

"Knowing Madi, I knew she could succeed professionally in Europe," he said. "I showed video to an agent friend and immediately she agreed to help Madi. There was no hesitation. The fact that she agreed to help as fast as she did says it all."

Today, Landry's competitive drive has simply been redirected.

After earning a Master's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Calgary, she returned home and is currently pursuing her medical degree through the UBC Northern Medical Program in Prince George.

For Holmes, that next chapter is entirely fitting.

"Madi has always been grounded," she said. "Everybody around her likes her. She's magnetic. She comes from an amazing family. She's incredibly smart and works very hard to get what she wants and achieve her goals."

Holmes continued, "She's one of our local kids. She grew up here and became one of the top scorers in Canada West. She was an Academic All-Canadian, a leader and an incredible teammate. We were so lucky to have her." 

As she reflects on a career that took her from Prince George gyms to Canada West stardom, professional basketball in Europe, and now medical school back home in Northern British Columbia, her final thoughts are rooted in gratitude. 

"To the coaches, the Holmes family, the Erricsons, Bruce Ballantyne, Kaz, Loralyn, Mark Johnson, and Sergey, thank you for helping me train my skills in basketball, but most importantly thank you for always having my back, having a lot of fun along the way, and always cheering me on for successes in sports, school, and life. 

I want to share this honour with my family — Mom, Dad, Bec, and Vova. Thank you for all the hours spent taking me to sports, driving to Vancouver every other week, and always being there to cheer me on. You've been through it all and supported me through life's successes and losses. I love you guys." 

And lastly from Landry, "Thank you, basketball. It's been real."