A dream come true: Reyna Frost discusses deal in Italy, NCAA Woman of the Year nomination


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Senior forward Reyna Frost drives to the basket on March 23 at the Joyce Center.

Reyna Frost was in China for the Sion-International Women's Basketball Challenge when she recieved a phone call that made a dream come true. 

That call was an opportunity to play professional basketball. Frost signed with Associazione Sportiva Dilettantistica Basket Costa of the Serie A2 Femminile in Italy.

Frost said she was most excited to share the news with her biggest support system – her family. 

"On the flight back (from China), I was able to tell them everything that was going on," she said. "I could tell that they were very proud of me just to get an offer. I'm happy to get to continue my career and play the sport I love full-time." 

Frost, a native of Reese, is entering this new chapter of her career with no shortage of accomplishments from her time with the Central Michigan women's basketball team. She is the career rebound record holder in the Mid-American Conference with 1,519 boards. 

Last season, Frost was named MAC Player of the Year and earned an Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention. She also was a first team All-MAC and a three-time Academic All-American. 

She ended her Chippewa career as the fourth all-time scorer with 1,794 points. With a new-found offensive stride, Frost was the leading scorer for the 2018-19 team with 773 tallies – an individual season scoring record. 

Frost said she has a goal of picking up in Italy where she left off in Mount Pleasant. 

"I wasn't much of a scorer until my senior year," she said. "I wasn't confident in myself, so having confidence and scoring are some of my goals."

In terms of mentorship, Frost has looked to CMU assistant coach Murriel Page. Page has been Frost's position coach for the last two seasons. They have had a strong relationship since Page arrived on campus. 

Page was an All-American at Florida in 1998 and played 11 seasons in the WNBA. She was the first draft pick of the Washington Mystics in 1998 and is in the team hall of fame. She also spent time on the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury.

From the outset, Page has admired Frost's work ethic and tenacity on the floor. 

"All of her hard work in the gym, you see it on the court, it pays off," Page said. "As a coach, that makes my job a lot easier. She's very coachable, she wants to learn and she's up for the challenge." 

Outside of the typical coaching that she would receive from Page, Frost said that she has begun to learn the realm of professional basketball. 

"I couldn't be more thankful for Page," she said. "She's helped me read through my contract and make sure everything is right. All of her wisdom throughout this process has been huge and helpful for me."  

When word spread about playing for Costa, Frost received messages upon messages of praise and gratitude from the CMU community. 

"I got a lot of people congratulating me, proud of me and excited for my future," Frost said. "I'm very thankful for the Central Michigan community." 

As for the game itself, Page said that Frost's skillset, tendencies and versatility line up well for success in the European leagues.

"A lot of European post players face the basket and can shoot the three," Page said. "The way she rebounds, you don't see that much in European basketball. sShe has an advantage because she can do so much."

Frost was also recently nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year, given to graduating student-athletes who distinguished themselves during their collegiate career in academics, athletics, service and leadership. According to the award's information page, student-athletes can only be nominated once by their school.

NCAA Divisions I, II and III each have 10 finalists that will be named in August. The winner will be announced during the annual award ceremony Oct. 20 in Indianapolis.  

Having the nomination from CMU and being one of just five MAC nominees for the award, Frost takes it to heart. 

"It really is an honor," she said. "It's an award that goes beyond basketball and I'm really happy that I can represent the (CMU) in this award."

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