Windsor, ON - Head coach Chantal Vallée is pleased to announce the commitment of two standout student athletes to the Lancer women's basketball program for the 2022-23 season.
Joining the blue and gold in the fall are transfer Vanessa Budimunda from the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks and guard Haley Willits from the Southwest Academy in the OSBA.
"I am so pleased to add these two student-athletes to our team," said Vallée. "They are great players that are bringing with them high-level experience, athleticism, maturity and excellence in the classroom. I can't wait to coach them this fall!"
A native of Montreal, QC Budimunda is a 6'2 forward who just finished her third season with the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks where she was named the women's basketball team MVP for the 2021-22 season. This past season Budimunda averaged 10.1 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game over 16 games played.
"Vanessa is a well-known presence in the OUA, one of the best centres to have played in our league. We are very fortunate that she chose our Law school to continue her development," Vallée continued. "It is a privilege to add experience, maturity, great skills and a fantastic personality to our team. I have already spent quite a bit of time with her off the court and I cannot wait to coach her for the rest of her career."
Budimunda was also named the Ridgebacks' rookie of the year during the 2019-20 season after finishing the season with 8.0 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. She will enter her first year of law school and is excited to play for Vallée and join the blue and gold.
"I believe Coach Vallée will be an impactful and positive leader in both my basketball career and my journey as a future legal professional," said Budimunda. "She cares about her players and has demonstrated her desire to help me become the best version of myself. I am genuinely excited to pursue my athletic and academic adventures as a Windsor Lancer student-athlete!"
A versatile player who can play several positions on the court, Willits, a 5'11 guard, joins the Lancers from JUEL's London Ramblers and the Southwest Academy.
A physical player who isn't afraid to mix it up under the basket, Willits has an excellent scoring touch. "We looked to get taller and Haley offered us that," said Vallée. "She is an athletic guard that we look forward to developing into a great 3-point shooter. With the size of our upcoming team, her deadly jump shot will be a skill that we will surely use as well."
No stranger to collegiate athletics, Willits comes from an OUA where that saw her mother play basketball for McMaster, while her dad competed for the Marauders as a member of the football program. "I love getting to mold athletes that have had both parents compete in university sports; they always have a great dedication and understanding of what it takes in terms of commitment."
Willits is looking forward to moving to the rose city and will study in the Faculty of Human Kinetics in the fall. "I am excited to play for the Lancers because I believe that Coach Vallee will push me to reach my highest potential as both a player and as an all-around person."
Stay tuned to goLancers.ca for more information on the 2022-23 women's basketball season and check us out on social media at @WindsorLancers.
