ROCHESTER, Mich. – Check out this inside look at the latest news about the Oakland women's basketball team, student-athletes and staff on and off the court.
It's time to meet the final three of the seven total newcomers on the 2021-22 squad
MEET #23 MIRIAM IBEZIM:
Full Name: Miriam Ozioma Ibezim
Position: Forward
Hometown: Rochester, NY
High School: Gates Chili
Birthdate: 12/23/02
Major: Biology
High school highlights:
• Averaged a double-double (19.8 points/19.5 rebounds per game) for career
• Helped team to 18-3 record during and league championship (2019-20) and also league championship (2021)
• Eclipsed career 1000-point mark and set school record with 1000 rebounds as a senior at Gates Chili High School
• Two-time Team MVP, two-time All-Greater Rochester selection
• Three-time first team Monroe County Division I selection, Monroe County Division I Player of the Year and sixth team all-state selection
• Ronald McDonald House All-Star selection
Q and A:
Q: What are you most excited about playing on the women's basketball team this season?
A: I am excited to be a part of and have an impact on such a high level of basketball, it was always been a dream of mine
Q: What do you feel is the best skill set you can bring to the team?
A: Athleticism and high motor for my size and craftiness at the post.
Q: What was the major reason you decided to ultimately choose Oakland University?
A: When being recruited it felt like the right school, and I liked the coaches.
Q: How do you feel your game will transition to the Division I college level?
A: I think I will expand my game, especially in developing my jump shot and 3-point shot
Q: Is there any part of your game you want to improve on as you transition into your role on the team?
A: Shooting and fast decision making
Q: What would you say is the most important lesson you have learned so far during practice in preparation for the upcoming season?
A: I have learned to never give up,
Q: What are you short-term and long-term goals you have for yourself as an incoming student-athlete?
A: Short-term goals are getting stronger, improving my game, improving my hydration and maintaining good grades. Long-term goals are becoming a starter and leading the team to big wins.
Fun Facts:
Pre-game superstitions: No lotion rubbed into hands
Favorite athlete: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Cabin in the woods or cabana on the beach? Cabana on the beach
Biggest role model: Her brother Vincent
Favorite Food: Pizza
Top item on bucket list: Yacht party
Teammate who takes the longest to get ready: Me
Best invention ever: Phones
What advice would you give your younger self: Stop doubting yourself
Interesting fact about you that people may not know: I hate marshmallows
Spirit animal: Chimp
Favorite pre-game snack: Cheez-Its
Star Wars or Harry Potter: Star Wars
MEET #22 PRUNELLE MUNGO:
Full Name: Miriam Ozioma Ibezim
Position: Forward
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.
High School: University
Birthdate: 9/19/02
Major: Psychology
High school highlights:
• Three-year letter winner for Head Coach Andrea Peterson
• Helped Neumann Goretti to fourth consecutive PIAA 3A State Championship as a freshman (2018) and consecutive city titles as a sophomore (2018, 2019)
• Member of Team Rio (GUAA) and New Jersey Sparks (EYBL) team
Q and A:
Q: What are you most excited about playing on the women's basketball team this season?
A: I'm most excited about building a strong bond with my teammates while learning new things.
Q: What do you feel is the best skill set you can bring to the team?
A: I feel that my presence in the paint and my ability to rebound and block shots are some skill sets that I can bring to the team.
Q: What was the major reason you decided to ultimately choose Oakland University?
A: I chose Oakland University because of the amazing coaching staff.
Q: How do you feel your game will transition to the Division I college level?
A: I feel like my game would still be the same but just getting use to the fast pace of the game at this level and becoming more of an offensive player.
Q: Is there any part of your game you want to improve on as you transition into your role on the team?
A: I would love to improve my shot
Q: What would you say is the most important lesson you have learned so far during practice in preparation for the upcoming season?
A: The most important lesson that I have learned during practice is that it's okay to make mistakes as long as you learn for them. Also when you make then keep playing don't dwell on it.
Q: What are you short-term and long-term goals you have for yourself as an incoming student-athlete?
A: My short-term goal is to master my post up moves and my long-term goals would be to be a contributor on the team and to get my degree in psychology.
Fun Facts:
Favorite athlete: Lisa Leslie and Kevin Durant
Hidden talent: Moving my ears
Cabin in the woods or cabana on the beach? Cabana on the beach
Biggest role model: Mother
Favorite Food: Shrimp Alfredo
Top item on bucket list: Sky diving
Favorite superpower: Teleportation
Teammate who takes the longest to get ready:
Miriam Ibezim
Best invention ever: Internet
Favorite sports movie: The Blind Side
What advice would you give your younger self: To be more confident and go with the flow
Interesting fact about you that people may not know: I am an only child
Spirit animal: Giraffe
Favorite pre-game snack: Grapes and fruit
Star Wars or Harry Potter: Neither
Most famous person in your contacts: Allen Iverson
MEET #12 KENDALL FOLLEY:
Full Name: Kendall Reece Folley
Position: Guard
Hometown: Lebanon, Ohio
High School: Lebanon
Birthdate: 3/3/03
Major: Exercise Science
High school highlights:
• Four-year letter-winner and three-year captain for Head Coach Rob Hodges
• Finished career as Lebanon's third all-time leading scorer eclipsing 1000-point career mark
• GWOC Player of the Year (2017-18), Three-time First-Team All-GWOC selection (2017-20) and three-time team MVP (2017-20)
• First-team 2020-21 Winter ECC All-Conference selection
• Ranked in District 15 Top-10 underclassman for four consecutive years (2017-21)
• Helped Dayton Lady Hoopstars to seven AAU State Championships (2012-2018), also helped West Virginia Thunder to Under Armour National Championship (2019)
Q and A:
Q: What are you most excited about playing on the women's basketball team this season?
A: I am most excited to see what we can do this year. I think we have a lot of talent and I can't wait for all of us to get to play together.
Q: What do you feel is the best skill set you can bring to the team?
A: My energy and my on-ball defense
Q: What was the major reason you decided to ultimately choose Oakland University?
A: The family atmosphere. It seemed like a place I could call home away from home
Q: How do you feel your game will transition to the Division I college level?
A: I think my game defensively will transition very well. I'm very very excited
Q: Is there any part of your game you want to improve on as you transition into your role on the team?
A: For me, I think that the pace at which I do things could become more assertive and quicker.
Q: What would you say is the most important lesson you have learned so far during practice in preparation for the upcoming season?
A: You have to keep up. There's a lot you are going to learn and you are expected to understand and perform.
Q: What are you short-term and long-term goals you have for yourself as an incoming student-athlete?
A: Short term I am hoping to play my role to the best of my ability and help the team get better and long term I want to win an NCAA game.
Fun Facts:
Favorite athlete: Chris Pual
Cabin in the woods or cabana on the beach? Cabana on the beach
Biggest pet peeve: Mouth noises
Biggest role model: Mother
Top item on bucket list: Sky diving
Favorite superpower: Invisibility
Teammate who takes the longest to get ready:
Miriam Ibezim
Best invention ever: Amazon/online shopping
Favorite sports movie: Love & Basketball
Interesting fact about you that people may not know: I can beat Shazam
Favorite pre-game snack: Chicken Caesar wrap
Star Wars or Harry Potter: Harry Potter
COOL TWEETS:
THE GRIND IS REAL – OFFICIAL PRACTICE HAS BEGUN:
Check out some sneak peeks from inside practice!
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!!
The 2021-21 season opener against Toledo is just around the corner!!
MEDIA DAY – ROUND 2
Lights, Camera, Action!!
#BEUS
The motto for the season is BE US!! What does that mean? Our weekly Wednesday Word of the Week installments will paint a picture all the way until the season opener in November so be sure to check it out!!
ALUMNI CHECK IN: CONGRATS TJ
Taylor Jones was recently named MVP of The Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino (BSNF) which is the top professional women's basketball league in Puerto Rico.
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