Athlete Spotlight: Maya Flindall of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women's Basketball

The girls sat down with USASK basketball player and National Champion Maya Flindall to talk about confidence, leadership, and how the game has shaped her both on and off the court. From learning to move past mistakes to unpacking what confidence really means, Maya opens up about challenges, teamwork, and her drive to chase a second National title.

Maya brings an impressive list of accomplishments: named to the Canada West All-Rookie Team in her first year, a two-time Canada West Champion, a USPORTS National Champion, and a two-time USPORTS Academic All-Canadian.

Empowerment & Personal Growth

SPORTéA: How has playing basketball helped you grow as a person, not just as an athlete?
MF: Honestly, the team part of basketball has taught me so much. It’s made me more confident, but also better at communicating and working with people. You learn how to have hard conversations and figure things out together. Those lessons go way beyond the court.

SPORTéA: What’s a moment in your basketball journey when you felt proud of overcoming self-doubt?
MF: My second year, we lost the national final to Carleton, and that was brutal. We’d worked so hard and came up short. But looking back, it taught me a lot about controlling what I can control. The next season, we came back and beat them, and that moment, after everything we’d been through, was honestly one of the proudest of my career.

SPORTéA: Who’s been a role model or mentor for you in sports?
MF: Definitely my teammate, Téa DeMong. She’s been someone I’ve looked up to since high school. She’s always honest with me, but also my biggest supporter. She carries herself with so much confidence, whether it’s on the court or in the classroom. She’s kind of taken me under her wing, and we’ve built such good chemistry together.

SPORTéA: How do you handle mistakes or setbacks during a game?
MF: That’s something I’ve had to work on. I’m hard on myself, and I used to get frustrated when I messed up. Lately, I’ve been focusing on having a “next play” mindset, just move on and focus on what’s in front of you. No one remembers that bad pass or missed shot anyway. Channel it into your hustle instead.

SPORTéA: What does confidence mean to you, in sports and in life?
MF: Confidence is about trusting the work you’ve put in. It’s not faking it, it’s knowing you’ve done the work and being proud of that. My mom always says, “How you do anything is how you do everything.” I think that’s true. Whether it’s basketball, school, or friendships, doing the small things right makes me feel grounded and confident when it counts.

Leadership & Teamwork

SPORTéA: As a point guard and team leader, how do you help your teammates feel supported and motivated?
MF: It’s all about knowing your teammates. Everyone’s different, some people need a push, some need encouragement. You have to understand who they are and what makes them tick. Building those relationships off the court makes everything on the court so much easier.

SPORTéA: How do you help create a positive and inclusive team environment?
MF: I try to make sure everyone feels included. Simple things, asking people how they’re doing, involving everyone in conversations, just making sure no one feels left out. It’s the little things that make a big difference.

SPORTéA: Can you share a time when teamwork really made a difference?
MF: Last year during playoffs, we had girls who were sick or injured, and it could’ve fallen apart. But everyone stepped up. That’s what made our team so special, everyone knew their role and trusted each other. You can’t rely on one person to carry the game. Everyone showing up for each other is what made it so rewarding.

Rapid Fire with Maya

SPORTéA: One word to describe what being a strong athlete means to you?
MF: Empowered. There’s nothing cooler than being a confident, strong woman and inspiring others.

SPORTéA: Favorite way to lift your teammates up?
MF: Definitely humor. I love cracking jokes or making light of things when practice gets hard. Laughter helps us reset.

SPORTéA: Biggest lesson basketball has taught you?
MF: That the journey is the dream. All the small moments, practices, bus rides, team dinners, those are what make it special.

SPORTéA: Go-to confidence booster before a game?
MF: Music and laughing in the locker room. I love those moments before the game starts when everyone’s hyped but still having fun. It helps me get in the zone without overthinking.

SPORTéA: Favorite role models in women’s sports?
MF: The women of the WNBA, they’re so strong and fearless, and they’re changing the game for future generations.

SPORTéA: Something you wish every girl knew about playing sports?
MF: Sports teach you things you can’t learn anywhere else; discipline, leadership, time management, resilience. Even if it’s not sports, find something that challenges you.

SPORTéA: One dream you’re chasing, in basketball or life?
MF: In basketball, I want to repeat as national champs. In life, I’d love to get my Master’s but still figuring out what in, though.

Big thanks to Maya for squeezing us into her busy schedule. Things got a little chaotic with extra kids jumping in and out of the chat, but we certainly walked away feeling so inspired. We’ll be cheering her and the Huskies on as they look to defend their National title.

Jump into the comments and tell us what part of Maya’s journey inspires you the most!