CMBA Player Spotlight: Marnie Garner
Marnie Garner
Past CMBA Community: Varsity
Current School: Mount Royal University
Accolades: Two times Provincial champions for Varsity Vipers. Four time Academic All Canadian for MRU.
Current Activities/Hobbies: In Education program at MRU. Doing some more baking during Covid.
Questions with U of C Dino's player Mya Proctor:
Q: Who is your favourite basketball player?
A: I used to be a big fan of Chris Paul. Recently I love watching Fred Van Vleet. It’s inspiring to watch a small guard that was not drafted be so successful. I love his style of play and how hard he works on defence.
Q: Which basketball team do you root for?
A: The Toronto Raptors. It’s so fun to cheer for the only Canadian team! My whole family loves to watch the Raptors as well so we all watch lots of the games together.
Q: Who has the best basketball uniforms of any college or pro team you like?
A: I love the uniforms of the Oregon Ducks. They always have such cool jersey colour wise.
Q: What is your favourite basketball movie?
A: The Last Dance with Michael Jordan would be my favourite. It is not a movie, but I used to watch the “Michael Jordan to the Max” movie before games growing up. It was so cool to see what went on in his life and how much of a competitor he is.
Q: What is your favourite candy?
A: Sour Patch Kids
Q: What is your favourite ice cream?
A: Mint Chocolate Chip
Q: Do you have a favourite pregame meal before you play a basketball game?
A: Not necessarily a meal, but I do like to eat something a bit sugary before a game to wake me up. Like a juice or some candy!
Q: What is your favourite basketball play?
A: Step back threes might come in as my favourite. Just the ability to do that move while still releasing the ball is impressive to me.
Q: What do you love most about the game of basketball?
A: What I love most about the game of basketball is all of the incredible and unforgettable movements that I get to share with my teammates.
Q: Do you have a favourite memory from when you played in the CMBA?
A: I would say winning provincials was a highlight for me. We also had some really great rivalry games against Calwest that I still recall to this day!
Q: What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach?
A: To go out on the court and always play like it is your last time playing. To leave everything out there. It sounds cliché but it truly is something that is always in my head when I step on the court.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to younger players?
A: Find a couple areas in your game that you will strive for and that you really identify with as a player. Use those strengths to your advantage. You don’t need to score thirty points a game, but you can always contribute to a team by bringing what you do best.
Q: Being a youth coach yourself, what is one piece of advice you would give youth coaches?
A: Coach In such a way that you would have been wanted to be coached as when you were a young player. Make every player on the team feel as though they are important and have a role to contribute.
Q: What basketball skill is your greatest strength?
A: I would say my energetic style of play. I love to play defence, get steals, rebound the ball.
Q: What was your biggest failure or adversity you have faced in the game, and how did you over come it?
A: This year with COVID has really changed my perspective on appreciating every moment I have when I play. In my last year of USports basketball, I was not able to play because of COVID.
Q: Are you a vocal leader on the court or do you lead by example? Or both?
A: I would say I lead more by example. I love to play with some much energy and passion that I think it can really influence my teammates around me to do the same.
Q: How do you find positive ways to communicate with your teammates? To build team culture.
A: Being open and always listening to my teammates. My team talks a lot about not taking anything too personal when we are on the court. We have to hold each other accountable and when everyone busy into that philosophy then that’s how you can build a really strong team culture.
Q: What is something interesting about you that no one really knows?
A: I speak French as I took French immersion school until grade 12!
Q: What is your favourite class or subject in University?
A: Right now I am in a course that is called Teaching Physical Education. Being a Phys Ed teacher is something that I would maybe like to do in the future, so I find this class very helpful.
Q: What are your plans after you graduate?
A: I am trying to become a teacher
