
Small town baller, Chyna Cornwell, chasing big time dreams
NEWTON, N.C. (BVM) — The Newton-Conover Red Devils girls basketball team hadn’t made a state championship appearance in 28 years. That streak came to an end this season when the ladies finished 29-2 en route to a title matchup with Farmville Central. The biggest difference leading to their heightened success this season was simple: senior Chyna Cornwell.
A four-star prospect, according to ESPN, Cornwell is committed to Rutgers University. She figures to be a strong addition for the Scarlet Knights, as this year, she averaged 26.2 points per game and 16.7 rebounds per game. As the stats would validate, Cornwell rattled off 30 straight double-doubles. Her efforts were good enough to be named MaxPreps’ North Carolina Player of the Year and the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year.
Scouting websites compare her to the NBA’s Kenneth Faried, known for having a knack at grabbing rebounds. ESPN’s evaluation was commendatory as well: “Efficient interior performer brings consistent offensive game in the paint; scores in traffic, under duress; face up game yields results; physical on the block, cleans the glass, runs the floor like a guard.” Her versatility stands out amongst the crowd.
With all of Cornwell’s prestigious accolades and eye-popping statistics, one would think that basketball was her first love. That getting to this level wasn’t a matter of if, but when. However, that’s not the case. The future Scarlet Knight didn’t even pick up a basketball until eighth grade, and before that, never even considered it.
“At the time I didn’t know anything about basketball, wasn’t interested, just didn’t really care about the sport.” Cornwell said.
Instead, Cornwell used her time to play volleyball and dance. That is, until her middle school basketball coach recognized her physical prowess and size; perfect for basketball. After talking with her parents about the opportunity she was offered to compete with the middle school team, the rest is history.
“They were waiting for this day to come where I had a basketball in my hands because they both love the game.” Cornwell said.
Admittedly, to start, she was terrible. The basketball star says she couldn’t dribble or shoot and was always turning the ball over. Yet one day, an AAU basketball coach was in the crowd and introduced himself to Chyna and her parents. His name was Alvin Sims, and he ran a team called the North Carolina Express. Sims saw her raw talent and knew that one day, she could be special. Cornwell accepted the invitation to play for Sims’ AAU team and that’s when her career began to blossom.
“He was the first person to teach me the fundamentals of the game,” Cornwell said. “He planted them in my brain and I began to love the game of basketball.”
Although Cornwell saw herself improving game after game from that point forward, she never thought she would get to this level. Considered by many the best player in the state of North Carolina, she got all-state selections, averaged a double-double, and had numerous high-level DI offers. All in a short five year period due to her picking up the sport relatively late.
“It all happened so quickly. Outsiders were always predicting I’d win this award or that award, but I never saw it in myself,” Cornwell said. “I was just focused on getting better and helping my team…this is indescribable.”
That hard work paid off as Cornwell will be headed to New Jersey in the fall to join the Rutgers women’s basketball team. Despite visits to Miami, Wake Forest, Boston College and even Duke, Rutgers was the natural choice for her. She says that students on campus greeted her while she toured, as though she already belonged there; what she referred to as a family environment. But the biggest draw to the program was coach Vivian Stringer and her attitude towards coaching.
“She said she would develop me on the court as a player, but also off the court as a young woman,” Cornwell said. “This was important to me because I want to be the best player I can be, but also the best person I can be towards everyone I encounter.”
With a storied high school career behind her and a bright college career ahead of her, Cornwell knows that there is always room to improve. She will remain grounded to her goals by taking up dentistry in her studies, and chasing her WNBA dreams and aspirations on the court. Chyna has had many firsts in her basketball career; first getting introduced to the game, getting first team all-state, and leading her school to its first state title game in 22 years. Now, she has a new first in sight.
“I want to be a first round draft pick.”