On Friday, March 3, 2023, Council Rock South seniors Jessica Mangoni and Karissa Smedley were recognized for committing to play collegiate basketball.
“I’m really proud of Jess and Karissa because they both took unique paths to fulfill their dream of playing college basketball,” coach Blair Klumpp said. “I think having two student-athletes at the signing day breakfast was a great accomplishment for them individually and their families but also for the program.
Jessica Mangoni – Chestnut Hill College (Basketball)
Major: Special Education
Final list of colleges: Chestnut Hill, Gwynedd Mercy, Alvernia
Reasons for choosing Chestnut Hill: “Family went there, good for my major and a great basketball program.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in basketball at the collegiate level? “I’ve always played AAU and wanted to play collegiately. Ninth grade I started seeing recruiters at tournaments, and after that is when I started getting in contact with schools. I did all my visits, tours, etc. when I was injured junior year.”
Coach Blair Klumpp says: “Jess started getting college interest during the AAU (Comets) season after her sophomore season, and she was playing the best ball I’ve seen her play in the fall of her junior year when she tore her ACL. She received far and away the most interest from college coaches out of any player in my six years here. We became close over her recovery/rehab, and I think that helped us both grow when she returned to the court. She was a good teammate during her time not being on the court as well, and I think her teammates saw that and looked up to her for her approach. Jess did a good job in a variety of roles for us. I truly believe her best basketball is ahead of her. She will be healthier, she has a lot of natural ability and skills, and I think with that and a full scope to what a college basketball program offers - it could be really great for her. They hired a new coach at Chestnut Hill, but the message to Jess is the same as it would have been no matter who the coach was - work hard, rebound the ball on both ends of the court, and use your ability to face up and score to your advantage. I’m very happy for Jess and proud of her.”
About Jess:
Favorite food: Chicken pot pie
Favorite movie: Grown Ups
Favorite music: R&B
Karissa Smedley – Georgian Court University (Basketball)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Georgian Court, Cabrini, Ursinus
Reasons for choosing Georgian Court: “I like the campus, and I think the basketball team and coaches are a great fit for me.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in basketball at the collegiate level? “I knew basketball was the sport I wanted to play in college when I was a sophomore, and that’s when I told my coaches I knew I wanted to. After junior year and AAU, I mainly just had D3 schools interested. Coach Klumpp began reaching out to D2 schools. Georgian Court became interested in me, so I went for multiple visits, received an offer and committed in October of senior year.”
Coach Blair Klumpp says: “Karissa’s journey was unique because she had the goal of playing the highest level of college basketball that she could. She also played four varsity sports in her time at South and played three sports all four years (and was a captain in all three). Just looking around our league, it’s tough to play college basketball on a scholarship (D1 or D2) when you don’t have a true offseason. Out of the 41 athletes named all-league in Suburban One during her career at South, only three counting Karissa were multi-sport athletes who went on to play D-1 or D-2 basketball for free on a full scholarship. She was the only three-sport athlete of the three. She is the exception to the rule. She had some D3 interest after her AAU (Heat Hoops) live period ended going into her senior year and went on some visits. But she felt like she wanted more of a focus on hoops and a higher level (some D3 schools were offering her to play multiple sports). We met and she expanded her search net, so to speak, including schools she was interested in regarding academics, location, etc. Coach Jazz and GCU is a good fit for her in a lot of areas. I think she has a chance to make an impact right away because she already has so many intangibles Coach seems to really value. Her leadership, work ethic, coachability, attention to detail will be an asset for her in the transition to college hoops. And I think she has a lot of room for growth skill-wise because she will be playing basketball year-round for the first time in her life. Anyone who has been around our program knows the impact Karissa has had as a player, student-athlete, leader on both the program and those around her. I expect the same from her at GCU. I’m very excited for the next chapter of her basketball career and so proud of her.”
About Karissa:
Favorite food: French Fries
Favorite movie: Divergent
Favorite music: Country
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