UAlbany Women’s Basketball to Retire Ebone Henry and Julie Forster’s Numbers on Sunday

ALBANY, N.Y. – On Sunday, the University at Albany will honor two of its finest women’s basketball players ever, retiring the numbers of Ebone Henry and Julie Forster at the Colgate game at 2 p.m. 

Led by the pair of the Class of 2013, UAlbany won its first-ever America East titles in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, earning a pair of NCAA Tournament berths.  In their time, the Great Danes won 77 games, including going 50-14 their last two years.

“This is a historic moment for our women’s basketball program, as it will be the first time in school history we will be retiring numbers of Ebone Henry and Julie Forster,” says UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. “Ebone and Julie were the pioneers and will always be remembered as the two players who took our programs to back-to-back conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.
Henry’s #5 and Forster’s #11 will be retired during a ceremony at Sunday’s game against Colgate, honoring the careers of two of the best women’s basketball players in the history of the program.  Both Henry and Forster will be present at the game on Sunday to be honored in front of the crowd.

“Every day our team will look up at the #5 and #11 and have a constant reminder of the level of excellence and expectation of two of the greatest players to ever play at this prestigious university,” says Abrahamson-Henderson.

Henry graduated as the program’s leading scorer with 1,632 points, making a program-best 358 baskets.  A four-year starter out of San Diego, she ranks 3^rd in UAlbany history and 1^st in the school’s DI history with 13.3 points per game.  She also stands fourth all-time in rebounding with 759 boards, second in steals with 312, third in three-point field goals with 158 and 10^th in assists with 254.  She holds three of the top five season-scoring marks in UAlbany history, including being number one with 473 points her junior year, also holding the record for a sophomore and freshman with 432 and 323 respectively.  She earned America East Player of the Year in the 2012-13 season and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year her final three seasons, being named First Team All-Conference all four years as a Great Dane.

“It feels great,” says Henry about having her #5 retired. “It's still so unreal considering I just graduated, but I'm truly thankful for this opportunity. It just really puts a cap on all the hard work put in over the four years.”
Currently, Henry is playing overseas with KR Reykjavik in Iceland, averaging 25 points and 14 rebounds per game.

“I've had the opportunity to meet some amazing women that I will keep close to me forever,” says Henry. “It's like the sisters I never had. Although the championships mean a lot to me, my teammates who put in the hard work day in day out mean the most, and that's what I'll never forget. We fought together, cried together, battled each other, etc., and it truly paved the way for future Great Danes.”

Forster graduated as the program’s only player with over 1,000 rebounds, earning 1,149 boards in her four-year career.  She also stands as the only UAlbany player with over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, being tied for sixth all-time with 1,109 points.  A former walk-on from Huntington, Forster’s 9.3 rebounds per game in her career ranks #1 in UAlbany history.  She is fifth all-time with 126 blocks and sixth in steals with 235.  Each of her four seasons ranks in the UAlbany top-six in total rebounds in a season, including 339 rebounds as a junior at #1.  Forster earned All-Conference honors her final three seasons, including First Team as a senior, and was honored as the America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the 2012-13 season.

“I am so thankful to have been a part of this university and the women's basketball team,” says Forster. “It's an amazing honor to have my number being retired.  UAlbany took a chance on me as a player, and it became the experience of a lifetime for me.”

Forster is playing for Stevnsgade BBK in Denmark, earning double-doubles in her first 12 games, averaging 21.8 points and 18.7 rebounds per game.

“I really loved my time at UAlbany and have many fond memories to look back upon,” says Forster.  “My two greatest memories were winning the America East Championships my junior and senior year.  It was incredible to see our goals realized and all our hard work rewarded.  It was especially nice to have both of the championships played on our home court, because we were able to celebrate with our fans.”