by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Fortunately for Park University, Destiny Zamudio changed her mind.
The starting point guard on Kansas City Kansas Community College’s 25-win women’s basketball team this past season, Zamudio turned down Park’s first offer.
“I said no,” she said only to have the coronavirus pandemic eliminate on all-campus recruiting visits. She readily accepted the second invitation to play in a facility she had already played.
“We played at Park against their JV so it will be good to go to a place with which I’m familiar,” Zamudio said. “Their assistant coach contacted me and expressed interest. They did not have a good season last year but they’ve got a lot of good pieces coming in and looking for a good season.”
Zamudio will major in psychology.
“Park has a good program in psychology which was real important.”
“I am extremely happy for Destiny and her decision to choose Park University,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “This is a great opportunity for her and I know that she is excited for this new chapter. I think Destiny’s athleticism at the point guard spot will have an immediate impact on both ends of the floor and I’m looking forward to watching and supporting her over the next two years.”
Zamudio started 22 games for the Blue Devils, handing out 60 assists and averaging 6.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals.
A Chicago native, Zamudio was first recruited by New Mexico Junior College but when that didn’t work out, she returned home to spend her first collegiate season at Malcolm X Community College.
“The program at Malcolm X was the equivalent of a YMCA program so I contacted Coach Mac and he gave me a chance to show I could play at a high level. I knew KCKCC had a really good program and I wanted to get away from Chicago so I e-mailed Coach Mac and he emailed me back.”
For Zamudio, her one season at KCKCC was a life-changer.
“I learned a bunch of stuff on and off the court,” she said. “I learned structure. There was pretty strict regimen on the court but I also learned I had to go to study hall and classes on my own. The last semester all my classes were on-line so I really had to discipline myself to study to pass the courses.
“And I’m really glad I had the opportunity to play for Coach Mac. He’s strict but he’s a great verbal coach and I could always talk to him when needed. I was very happy with my decision to come to KCKCC.”