A knee injury forced St. Joseph senior Analise Riezebos to miss most of her junior basketball season.

Because of that injury, “I never thought I’d play (basketball) in college,” she said.

Yet there she was on Thanksgiving Eve at a signing ceremony in the St. Joseph gymnasium, having signed to play basketball for NCAA Division II member Cal State Chico next school year on a partial athletic scholarship.

“They took a look at me and saw beyond the brace,” said Riezebos. She said that the scholarship is essentially, “a half scholarship.”

She added, “They saw that I could play. I’m excited to be moving on to the next phase of my career.”

That phase will have to wait until Riezebos finishes her senior year. The 5-11 power forward will try to help the Knights repeat as CIF Southern Section divisional champions. The Knights won the 4-AA championship last year.

Riezebos missed nearly all of the regular season, but she was a big contributor when she returned. Riezebos usually scored eight-to-12 points, grabbed some key rebounds and was a big defensive presence when she was able to get back in there.

“It was exciting to be able to help the team win the (sectional) championship,” said Riezebos. The Knights won one game in the state tournament after taking the divisional title. 

“We’re looking forward to next year,” said Riezebos. “We have a great lineup coming back, great team chemistry and a new coach (Ed Torres) to get us in shape and help us win the CIF championship again.”

She said afterwards that she’ll be going to a successful program. “I don’t think they went to the NCAA Division II Tournament last year, but they usually do.”

Analise Riezebos is the second family member to earn a basketball scholarship. Her sister, Devin, graduated from St. Joseph in 2008 and played for Cal State Monterey Bay the next school year.

Analise is also the fifth St. Joseph athlete to sign with a four-year school this year. The others are swimmers Erica Brannon (Oregon State) and Maddie Mastrup (Colorado State), golfer Danielle Gillaspy (Pepperdine) and softball player Mariah Cochiolo (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo).

Analise and Devin’s father, Frank, graduated from Chico State. He was at the ceremony and said, “Chico State is a great place and has a balance with a nice campus and the education program students get.

“Analise is an important member of our family, but it’s important that she gets the maturity that comes from going to college away from home. The benefit she will get from being part of the campus community is important.”

Frank’s daughter visited the Chico State campus and, like many before her, was hooked.

“That’s when I fell in love with it,” Analise Riezebos said. She said that she talked to other schools but was really only serious about Chico State.

She said she will play inside “back to the basket,” on offense for the Wildcats.

“They’ll count on me for short-range scoring, rebounds, defense. I’ll play the same spot I do in high school. The people in that league aren’t very tall.”

Riezebos said she talked to Chico State head coach Brian Fogel during most of the recruiting process.

“I got to work out with the team. They’re a fun group, very competitive. It’s going to be a fun season.”

Riezebos said she may major in agribusiness at Chico State. “I may try to get into Vintology there, the wine industry.”