Kodiaks women’s basketball adds versatile local guard

Posted on October 15, 2026 by admin

Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks women’s basketball team has added adaptable guard Jaylee Salmon to the roster.

A product of Raymond, Salmon played for the University of Lethbridge Jr. Horns in 2023 and 2024 while also competing in Raymond spring leagues. She also earned second-team all-conference honours during her senior season at Declo High School in Declo, Idaho. Salmon will enter Lethbridge Polytechnic’s General Arts and Science program this fall.

Kodiaks head coach Deanna Simpson says Salmon’s well-rounded skill set and familiarity with southern Alberta basketball makes her an ideal addition to the program.

“We thought Salmon would be a really good fit for the Kodiaks,” says Simpson. “She’s a southern Alberta kid. She can shoot, handle and defend the ball well. She’s somebody who is willing to put in the work and adjust to whatever position she needs to be in.”

Salmon says the opportunity to stay close to home while continuing her basketball career in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), made Lethbridge Polytechnic the right fit.

“I was drawn to the ACAC because it gives me the chance to keep playing competitive basketball while going to school, and I like the level of competition and team environment,” she says. “I went to the [Kodiaks] ID camp, and the coaches and girls were super nice.”

Simpson says Salmon’s shooting ability fills an important need for the Kodiaks while her basketball IQ positions her well for continued development.

“Being a shooter, that’s something we needed to expand a little bit from our game this year,” says Simpson. “She has a good IQ for the game and an understanding of her strengths and disadvantages and how she needs to adjust from that.”

Simpson says Salmon joins a talented backcourt but believes there will be opportunities for her to earn minutes while continuing to develop within the program.

“I expect Salmon to come into the fold and be a great team player and really help amp up our level in practice,” says Simpson. “She’ll really add to our depth this next year.”

Salmon says she is looking forward to meeting new teammates while continuing to grow as both a student and an athlete.

She also thanks her parents for their unwavering support throughout her basketball journey.

“They always made it happen, no matter how far or what time,” says Salmon. “I’m really grateful for everything they do.”