North Carolina State University Athletics
Worldly Potential
3/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Imagine an ambitious, religious, multi-lingual, 21-year old business major who hopes to operate her own business one day. A typical description of a well rounded college student at NC State? Now mix in a versatile and talented basketball player and you have Alvine Mendeng, a transfer from Kentucky, and a native of Doula, Cameroon.
"I had an academic scholarship to attend Dayton Christian Academy," Mendeng explains. "I moved to the United States about half way through my junior year in 1998. I didn't start playing basketball until about six or seven years ago."
Mendeng liked watching basketball, and at 12-years old she saw a game featuring two versatile players in Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. Mendeng's game can be described as versatile as well, as she tallied 14 blocks, 32 steals, and 44 assists in 27 games as a freshman at Kentucky.
"Magic Johnson was always one of my favorite players in the NBA, and that really got me interested in basketball," Mendeng says. "In high school I could play any position, and here the coaches think I can play different roles. I just want to get out there and play anywhere to help out and to help the team win."
Since her exposure to Magic Johnson and the NBA, she enjoyed the sport but never seriously thought about playing until her 6-1 frame was noticed by a local coach.
"My sister was running track and her coach came into the house to speak with my Mom and he saw me. He told my Mom, "What is she doing home with that height!" He thought I was pretty tall."
The track coach introduced Mendeng and her mother to a friend who ran a basketball school, and she began to play. She played in only a few games as a junior at Dayton Christian Academy, but soon her potential was noticed and the recruiters started attending her AAU games to watch this raw basketball talent.
"It was hard at first playing here because the game is different than in Cameroon. I had good teammates and we all got along, so that helped me to learn more about basketball."
Soon the raw talent translated into success on the court. Mendeng averaged 16.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals as a senior to catch the eye of the slew of division I programs, including Kentucky, Purdue, Notre Dame and Georgia. Mendeng decided on Kentucky and played in every game as a freshman, averaging 6.4 points and was second on the squad in rebounding with 4.7 boards a contest.
She transferred to NC State after watching the Wolfpack Women on television against the Lady Vols of Tennessee.
"They recruited me when I was in high school, and when I decided to leave Kentucky, I didn't know where I wanted to go until I saw NC State playing Tennessee," Mendeng says. "It was the first time I saw a team play together in the U.S. I always thought that they just wanted to play individually. I saw how the girls were playing together and I really liked it. It reminded me of the style of play back home."
Mendeng is still awaiting a final announcement about when she will be eligible to play this year, and it could come as early December 18.
"I'm excited about playing again, but I'm nervous, too. I haven't played in awhile."
Mendeng loves computers and her business management concentration is in information systems. She also has other ideas on career paths.
"I want to own my own business, but I'm not really sure what it will be. I've also wanted to be an actress or to play professional basketball as well. I am just concentrating on academics and helping the team in anyway and I can succeed in whatever I try to do."
Mendeng has been in the US since November of 1998, and since that time has talked to her mother weekly, but has not seen her or the rest of her family since her move.
"I miss everything about back home. I miss my family, my friends, my nephews and niece, the food. I'm not sure when I will be able to see them again."
She has cooked some of her favorite dishes from Doula but she admits that it isn't the same as what she ate growing up. She doesn't eat meat, but she enjoys her favorite food, shrimp, when possible.
"I have cooked for teammates before and some of them ate it and some of them wouldn't. The ones that ate it liked it. The style is different because I can't cook it like it should be done, in the same style, but it is still good."
Alvine Mendeng is mix of worldly versatility, on and off the court. Her desire for a business career is matched only by her desire to help the team win. Her desire for closeness and teamwork on the court is matched with her family values learned in Cameroon. Her strong personal character, desire and uniqueness is matched by no one.
