Strathroy star Miranda VanderWal set to take over at University of North Dakota
STRATHROY, Ontario — The small Canadian town of Strathroy, Ontario has become well known throughout the community for its development of local hockey talent. In large part due to the sheer number of NHL prospects the area has generated, as well as the rapid improvement of the local GOJHL club, the Strathroy Rockets.
Despite this, Miranda VanderWal has put the city on the map in other ways by dominating on the hardwood and helping to further build up the community which she once called home.
VanderWal spent the majority of her childhood in and around the Strathroy area, playing for the local basketball team while attending Strathroy District Collegiate Institute in grades 9 and 10. She also represented Team Ontario at the U15 and U17 Canadian Championships, winning a silver medal with the provincial team in 2018.
After working on her game at Strathroy District Collegiate Institute, VanderWal saw a bigger opportunity ahead and turned her attention to the nearby Southwest Academy in London, Ontario — a prep basketball program that’s become renowned for molding high-level NCAA prospects.
Even though Southwest was home to a number of incredible athletes during VanderWal’s time with the academy, such as London-native Haley Stinebrickner, and Mississauga’s Lemyah Hylton, VanderWal was easily one of the most impressive young players on the roster, averaging 8.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in her final year with the program.
She also attended five Canada Assessment Camps before finishing her high school career as an honor roll member and Citizen Award recipient. She slowly became one of the most sought-after athletes in the entire country, with a large number of Division I schools vying for her attention in 2020.
However, when all was said and done, it was the University of North Dakota’s style of play, and the local community of Grand Forks, which caught VanderWal’s eye.
“The Grand Forks community really reminds me of my hometown in that it’s small and tight-knit,” VanderWal said in an interview with the Grand Forks Herald. “Even though I haven’t been there, I feel like it’s a great fit … I’m super excited. I just can’t wait to get out there and be a Fighting Hawk. I’m super excited to meet the team and see what UND has to offer.”
VanderWal officially committed to UND on May 20, 2020, even though her scheduled trip to Grand Forks was postponed due to the closure of the U.S.-Canada border during the pandemic. Despite never even stepping foot on campus, VanderWal made her intentions clear from the start, and never put much energy into seeking out alternatives.
A level of dedication and excitement that even the Fighting Hawks’ head coach, Mallory Bernhard, expressed upon VanderWal’s commitment just over a year ago.
“I’m excited to add a player that we feel will more than live up to the legacy of great post players that UND has produced,” Bernhard said in an article with the Toronto Star. “With her size, the level of coaching she’s received and the level of competition she’s faced, she is ready for Division I … If there is a season in Ontario, she is poised for a breakout.”
Furthermore, Coach Bernhard noted VanderWal’s famed coaches at Southwest Academy, as well as her family dynamic at home as two primary reasons for UND’s interest in the Strathroy star.
“Miranda has been surrounded by other Division I players her whole career at Southwest and should have a feature role in her senior year,” Bernhard said. “Coach Angione is one of the best and most respected coaches in Canada and knows how to develop talent. Beyond that, she’s a super kid from a wonderful family. Angela and Jason have instilled a great work ethic and big heart in their daughter and should be rightfully proud.”
UND finished the 2019-20 season with a 15-15 record after losing to South Dakota State in the opening round of the Summit League Tournament in Sioux Falls. Last year’s team fell dramatically to a 2-19 record, not even sniffing a conference tournament championship.
The good news for North Dakota fans is that at 6-foot-7, the Strathroy product carries more than enough length and ability to get up and down the court and compete with some of the best players in the NCAA. Meanwhile, her wingspan and skill set on the interior will undoubtedly help to keep opposing bigs in check on the defensive end of the floor.
VanderWal is expected to redshirt her first year with UND as a freshman, but that should provide her ample time to get acclimated with the system and jump into action for the 2022-23 season.
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