Bishop Ryan is going Norse
Sought-after Reece Mungar off to Northern Kentucky University
Stoney Creek’s Reece Mungar will be packing her gym bag later this summer and heading to the Bluegrass State where she will suit up for the NCAA D1 Northern Kentucky University (NKU) Norse women’s basketball team.
Mungar is good. Really good. She has Olympic DNA.
Her dad, Barry, suited up for Canada at the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul. Prior to the international stage, the Highland Secondary School grad played for the St. Bonaventure Bonnies where he earned First Team All-Atlantic 10 All Star status and was drafted by the NBA Washington Bullets.
“My dad has always been a huge inspiration,” said the Bishop Ryan CSS Celtic. “His basketball accomplishments definitely motivated me.”
The talented Mungar was heavily recruited by a number of NCAA schools.
“(NKU coach) Camryn Whitaker clearly wanted Reece,” said BR bench boss Kevin Daly. “She came up to a practice even before Reece was able to practise (due to an injury). When Reece was back to full health, Coach Whitaker came up to watch her play (against Brebeuf ).”
Mungar is among six recruits signed to play for the Norse.
In a news release from The Northerner, the NKU coach said, “Reece can play multiple positions. She is very versatile. She can play in the post or step out and shoot the ball in the perimeter. I am excited about her versatility and her ability to score.”
Mungar averaged close to 20 points per game and pulled down 11 rebounds in her senior Celtics season.
The recruiting and decisionmaking process was rigorous. Mungar visited a number of campuses.
But there was something special about the Highland Heights campus in Kentucky.
“Coach Whitaker, her assistants and the players were extremely welcoming (on my visit),” said Mungar. “The atmosphere made me feel very comfortable.”
On the flight home (with her dad) she knew that NKU was the right fit.
“I remember my dad turning to me and asking me what I thought about the visit. I instantly started crying happy tears because I knew this was the place for me.”
And the six-foot-two versatile player has an opportunity to make an immediate impact on the Norse program that transitioned from NCAA D11 to D1 in 2016.
“Coach Whitaker has shared with me that her coaching staff believe that if I perform the way they expect me to I will play a lot and possibly start,” said the former Transway Juel player.
“This is one of the important reasons I chose NKU. I wanted to be valued and cherished at the school, rather than being on the end of the bench for a few years.”
The 17-year-old’s career as a Norse-woman will begin in mid July when she heads to NKU for two weeks of training.
Summer plans include strength training, agility drills, speed work and a strenuous four-week running program designed by the NKU strength and conditioning coach.
Mungar has targeted Horizon League Conference “Rookie of the Year” and “Rookie All-Star Team” honours in her freshman season. Both appear attainable.
“Coach Whitaker believes I can do it as long as I continue to work hard,” said Mungar.
“It’s in my hands.”