'He's family to me now': BYU star Delaney Gibb all in on new coach Lee Cummard

PROVO — If there was any doubt before, let the doubt cease. The rising star for new BYU women's basketball coach Lee Cummard isn't going anywhere.

Delaney Gibb re-affirmed her commitment to stay with the Cougars during an interview Wednesday morning and to a coach who recruited her since she first started attending BYU sports camps as a child.

The rising sophomore and reigning Big 12 freshman of the year made an appearance with teammate Marya Hudgins on BYUtv's Sports Nation two days after Cummard was named head coach — a coach who has built a strong relationship with Gibb for years, including in recruiting the former four-star athlete and ESPN top-100 prospect in the Class of 2024.

"He was the No. 1 guy in my recruitment process," she said. "I feel like he just forms really genuine relationships. I really felt like he's family to me now, at this point. I've known him for many years, and I can't wait to extend our relationship and get to know him closer now as our head coach.

"He has so much passion and joy," she continued. "You can tell that he really cares for our players, staff and support staff. It's really easy to play for someone when you know that they genuinely care for you."

The 10-time Big 12 freshman of the week finished in the top 15 in 29 statistical categories during her inferno of a rookie season with the Cougars, including averaging the most points per game by a freshman with 17.40.

Gibb also ranked second in total points with 522, field goal attempts (402), 3-point field-goal attempts (195), 3-point field goals per game (2.57), assists (124) and assists per game (4.13). She was also top-13 in steals (47), rebounds (16) and blocks (14) by a freshman.

"I've had some great conversations with Delaney. Everybody on the team currently wants to be here," Cummard said Monday afternoon in the Marriott Center Annex. "We know we have a couple of things to add via the portal, but we want this place to be about development, earning your stripes. Delaney's a fantastic player and a person, and she wants to do it with the group."

A native of Raymond, Alberta, Gibb was a two-time Ms. Alberta Basketball in high school, after earning 4A first-team all-state honors as a freshman at Timpview High. The Canadian international also has designs on making her country's Olympic team.

Cummard sees Gibb as central to his team next year, along with the eight core players still on the roster.

"You guys are here for a reason," he said Monday in wrapping up his formal introduction while addressing the players. "You guys fit BYU, and are tremendous talents, as people and as basketball players. We've got a lot of good momentum going and a lot of good things ahead of us. I know that if we work hard and do it together, the sky's the limit."

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