SANTA CLARA, Calif. – First year women's basketball head coach JR Payne and her staff signed two NLI's for the 2015-16 season. Nicole Vander Helm of Surrey, British Columbia attended Holy Cross Regional High School.
"I chose Santa Clara because when I went on my official visit I fell in love with the campus, but most importantly the people," said Vander Helm. I could not picture myself going anywhere else. It was somewhere I could see myself calling home. Also, I chose Santa Clara because they have a very strong academic program with a solid Catholic foundation."
"Nicole is someone who we have been watching for several years now. She has the potential to have an immediate impact on our team next year," said Payne.
As a junior she averaged 10.0 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game, and 3.0 steals per game. Her team was named Provincial Champions in 2013. Her career high in points for a single contest was 40. She also tallied one triple-double during her junior season. Vander Helm was named Provincial First Team All Star and All Star at the 2012 Canadian National Championships. As a sophomore she averaged 15.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg., and 2.0 spg.
She played club basketball for Team BC. Vander Helm helped coach the U-13 Metro girls basketball team.
In her free time Vander Helm enjoys camping and hiking.