Endeavour Ipswich Basketball Club and Copleston Basketball Academy star Louisa Gibbins has verbally committed to the University of Vermont in NCAA Division One. The class of 2025 versatile forward has been heavily recruited by a number of D1 schools and has chosen Vermont after a successful visit last month. Gibbins joins a growing list of Copleston and Ipswich players heading to top colleges in NCAA Division One.
Louisa was named to the WEABL All Second Team in 2024, and was a key contributor for Ipswich, helping them win both the WNBL National Cup and Division One League Championship last season.
Vermont finished with a 25-12 record in 2023/2024 and play in the America East Conference. Louisa is expected to make an impact in her freshman year with the Catamounts.
The 6’2" forward, currently in her third year in Ipswich having joined the Suffolk programme from Bristol Flyers, has had a major impact at both academy and club level. In her first year she helped the Ipswich U18s secure two National Championships, winning the U18 Cup and Playoff title, while in her second year she helped guide the Ipswich Senior Women to a league and cup double. She was also a key member of the Copleston side that narrowly lost the WEABL Final against City of London Academy.
Louisa becomes the sixth D1 player to come out of the Ipswich girls/women’s programme in the last four years, joining Esther Little (Gonzaga), Susannah Rafiu (Columbia) and Anya Mackenzie (Tarleton State), Christabel Osarobo (Gonzaga) and Olivia Forster (USC Upstate).
Louisa is mid-way through her third year at Copleston Basketball Academy based in Copleston Sixth Form in Ipswich and in partnership with Ipswich Basketball Club, one of the leading academies as part of the England Development Programme (EDP). During her time with the programme so far, she has helped Ipswich to multiple national championships and finals, as well as the WEABL 3x3 championship. Louisa has been selected for the Hoopsfix All Star Classic in both of her seasons with Ipswich and has played for both the Great Britain U18 and U20 teams at the European Championships.
In 2024/2025, her final year with Ipswich, Louisa has made her goals clear. “I want to finish this chapter of my basketball career the right way. Ipswich is and always will be a massive part of me now. I have made friends for life and have loved being part of the Ipswich and Copleston Basketball family. We want to go as far as we can in all competitions, and have made a good start to the season in both the WEABL and the WNBL and I’m excited to complete this chapter of my career in style”.
Endeavour Ipswich Basketball Club Ipswich Head Coach Nick Drane said “What an incredible opportunity this is for Louisa, and one that she has undoubtedly earned. When she arrived here she was already an accomplished player, and huge credit must go to the Bristol Flyers for the work they did with her as an u16. But the growth and maturity she has shown over the last two and a half years has really been great to see. Louisa joins a pretty impressive list of girls from our programme who are taking their game to the next level across the pond, and we couldn’t be prouder. Coach Kresge and her staff are getting a fantastic player and a truly wonderful young woman”.
On signing for Vermont, Louisa had this to say “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. From the moment Vermont started recruiting me, it just felt right. The culture of the programme and the style of play really suits me and I can’t wait to work with the staff and play on team”.
Louisa will continue to play for Copleston in the WEABL and Endeavour Ipswich Basketball in WNBL Division One for the 2024/2025 season before embarking on the next stage of her basketball adventure.
A message from Louisa: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone at Endeavour Ipswich basketball club and Copleston Sixth Form, especially my Coach Nick Drane for all their support over the last three years. Ipswich Basketball has become my family and I am very grateful for my time here. I would also like to thank Coach Kresge and all of the coaches at Vermont for their time and effort in recruiting me; I can’t wait to get started! Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank my Dad for everything he does for me. He is there for me through everything and I wouldn’t be doing this without his continued support”.