Growing up in Quebec City, Martlets Basketball Guard Lily Rose Chatila, U3 Science, found basketball by chance. At just 10 years old, she was introduced to the sport unexpectedly while watching her older sister’s High School Musical school play. What began as a coincidence has since grown into a defining part of her life. Now at 22 years old, Chatila is one of the Martlets’ key players, steadily making her mark in McGill basketball history.
On Jan. 17, Martlets Basketball faced the Concordia Stingers after falling short just two days prior. After a quick turnaround, the team captured a decisive 62-51 win over the Stingers, with Chatila leading on the scoreboard. The young guard scored 33 points, with the majority of her points coming from two-point field goals and free throws. Chatila’s historic performance measures up to a previous record set in 2008 by Catherine Parent, making her one of four Martlets to ever score 33 or more points in a game.
Despite her outstanding results, Chatila reflected that she is not focusing on the score in most games.
“I wasn’t necessarily aware of my points, but just the flow of the game was really good. I think it was one of our best games,” Chatila said. “[The] team gets really good things off of our defence, and we had amazing defence, which we put into offence.”
Like most varsity athletes, Chatila has had her fair share of injuries, and this season was no exception. In October she suffered a minor concussion, and in December she had a quadricep strain, which put her out of the team’s matchups before winter break.
Reflecting on how injuries can reshape an athlete’s perspective, Chatila extended lessons she learned off the court before facing the challenge of returning to play. Recovery is rarely straightforward, and navigating a season marked by injuries takes a toll not only on the athlete, but on the team as a whole.
“I just want to go and give my best, because yes, I’ve had one game that I played well, and then the next I couldn’t play,” Chatila said. “Our biggest thing this year is for every game to go out there and give our best, because it’s really up and down for injuries.”
Looking ahead at her remaining time at McGill, Chatila is optimistic about remaining a force to be reckoned with on court—despite not having any specific records in mind to break.
“My main goal is going to be to try and stay consistent,” Chatila said. “Obviously, I want to improve on everything. You always want to keep improving, but I think for me, the key is going to be consistent in practices and games, and then the summer, to be consistent with the work I’m putting in.”
Beyond her personal experience on the court, Chatila also touched on the broader landscape of women’s sports and the responsibility that comes with being a high-level university athlete. Reflecting on her journey from a chance introduction to basketball to becoming a leader on the Martlets roster, she emphasized the importance of confidence, perseverance, and embracing opportunity, especially for young women athletes hoping to carve out a place for themselves in the game.
“Even when it’s going good, bad, or not the way you want it to, I think if you’re surrounded by a good group [of people] and your mindset is right, you can find ways to have fun,” Chatila said. “Even if you lose some games, I think the important thing is, really, to enjoy it. Because if you don’t, then I don’t really think there’s a point to doing it, especially at a high level. Just enjoy it and make sure you surround yourself [with] a team where you feel like you can be yourself.”
