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Natalie commits to Notre Dame
by Greg Layson, Mercury Staff , Guelph Mercury
After considering attending Notre Dame, Louisville, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State, Oklahoma or Ohio State, Achonwa narrowed down her choices to Notre Dame and Louisville.
"Basically, my family is a big part of my life. And Louisville is about 10 hours away. South Bend is only about six or seven. So my family can come and see me play," Achonwa said. "When I visited Notre Dame, I felt comfortable with players and coaches. They clicked with my parents and not only me. They base their team on being a family."
Those family values impressed her father, too.
"My dad just said he won't have to worry about me when I'm away," Achonwa said.
Achonwa is a 6-foot-3 post player, who was born and raised in Guelph. She spent her Grade 9 school year at Centennial CVI, where she was named the junior female athlete of the year. But for the last two years, she's gone to St. Mary's High School in Hamilton while she takes part in Basketball Canada's NEDA program. Last month, she was named to the Canadian Senior Women's National Team. And, she was named one of The Guelph Mercury's 40 Under 40.
Achonwa will return to NEDA in the fall and fine tune her game during her last season spent on Canadian soil. Achonwa said she wants to work on her ball-handling, get stronger and become a more accurate shooter.
"I don't regret it at all," Achonwa said of moving away from home so early in her life. "The first year was difficult. But it will all help me more in the future. University won't be as big of a jump. Being at NEDA is a lot like a university life."
glayson@guelphmercury.com
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