It's almost impossible to imagine the meteoric return to prominence of the Ravens women's basketball could have continued to elevate in 2024-25. Coming off a 21-1 season where the team captured their second straight OUA and U SPORTS titles, coach Dani Sinclair found a way.
Capping off a record-setting season with her third straight Coach of the Year win, Dani Sinclair is building a women's basketball program that matches her passion and love for the game.
The 2025 U SPORTS Peter Ennis Award winner as Coach of the Year, Sinclair's Ravens soared through the season, finishing a perfect 22-0. Early challenges, including missing three regulars from the rotation in early November, didn't hamper a Ravens team that continued to click as one of the country's most dominant offensive and defensive teams.
With her self-described one-game-at-a-time approach, Sinclair led a Ravens team short on seniors through everything a season as two-time defending champions could throw at them. Her leadership, both on and off the court, has been transformative, returning the Ravens to the glory they'd found in the late 2010s under Taffe Charles.
"Being coached by a woman who cares about her players and that cares about basketball has been so enlightening to me as a woman and as a basketball player," said graduating Ravens guard Dorcas Buisa. "I'm so grateful to have been coached by a bunch of people who just really cared a lot."
Buisa isn't alone in her praise of Sinclair. Throughout the season, Sinclair's players have always been quick to share their love and respect for their coach. This sentiment was well displayed in Jacqueline Urban's message to Sinclair at the 2025 Varsity Banquet.
"You never instilled any doubt in us," said Urban in her congratulatory message. Continuing to praise her coach, the third-year Ravens guard would highlight a commitment and passion that motivates those around her. "Your love, commitment and passion for the game transfer to anyone who plays for you."
Even when receiving accolades, Sinclair's passion for the group is clear. The first person to ever win U SPORTS Rookie of the Year and U SPORTS Coach of the Year, when asked to talk about herself, Dani still focuses on what the group achieved. "Even though it didn't end the way we wanted it to, we still have to be very grateful for the year that we had and the performance that we showed all year."
"It's such a special group of people, and I think that's what we take with us regardless of results," Sinclair stated after winning her third consecutive Pat O'Brien Award as Ravens coach of the year.
With the season behind her, Sinclair was finally open to reflecting on the season as a whole. "It's pretty special," she admitted. "I know I'll never admit that when we're in the thick of it, but it's something to be honoured." The group overcame challenges throughout the year, with key injuries and player absences only adding to the difficulties of an OUA schedule.
Along the way, Sinclair's Ravens also represented Canada at the FISU Americas 3x3, capturing gold, and the FISU 3x3 Basketball World Cup, capturing silver.
