Will it be a breakout year for Louisville WBB's Grace Mbugna? --WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

6'4 SOPHOMORE READY TO SHINE FOR CARDS 

When Grace Mbugna decided to attend UofL, a lot of those in the know were happy to see an in-state talent stay in Louisville and play hoops for the Cards WBB squad .She was being recruited by Kentucky, Baylor, Duke, Florida, LSU, NC State and West Virginia 

Her freshman year, though, was not a year of immediate success for her.. The Danville Christian H.S. prepster came into Louisville riding some pretty respectable stats. She was a 2025 McDonald's All-American nominee. She was also a Miss Kentucky finalist. She was on the Courier-Journal First Team All-State and was the 12th Region Player of the year. She averaged 22.3 points per game her final year at Danville Christian, grabbed 12.7 rebounds and took Danville Christian to the Kentucky Sweet Sixteen Semifinals and the school was the winner of the 12th region title. Born in Kenya and arriving in the United States at the age of 12, it was a story of success and triumph over adversity. . 

 

Crashing the Cards front line, though, wasn't as easy as high school ball seemed to be for her. She played in 18 games for the Cards but average just three points a game and three rebounds. 

But, she has put in the time in the off-season, and the reports I am getting from on-campus indicate to me that there will be no sophomore slump for her...instead, it might well be a  sophomore success story. Walz considers her part of the retuning core foundation

Her and Elif Istanbulluoglu on a Cards front line could be quite a power force along with Roberts, Randolph, Prawl and Berry in the backcourt attacking the opponents with that one thing Jeff Walz stresses...speed. 

We are excited, here at Cardinal Couple to see what kind of season she has. And, she wears #23, just like one of my favorite Cards of all-time...Jaz Jones. 

We can only hope it will be....a season full of Grace. 

paulie