The StMU Lightning Men's Basketball program is excited to welcome Wil Konybai into the fold for the 2019-2020 season. This will be a homecoming of sorts for the Calgary native who began his post-secondary career at Nippising University in the very difficult Usport OUA east conference, Wil has completed is Sociology degree and is returning home and committed to St. Mary's to be joining their education program in the fall of 2019.
Konybai graduated St. Mary's Highschool in Calgary before making his way out east. Playing in one of the best conferences in the Usport league, Konybai saw some of the best talent Canada has to offer night in and night out.
"Competing against the best players in the country is always fun," said Konybai. "I learned a lot when I competed against Carleton, Ottawa U and Ryerson, I learned how they played together as a team. Every play, they were always on the same page whether it was on defense or on offence."
The Lightning are excited to bring a player to the program of his quality. "To have a player that has played basketball at such an elite level and against such top caliber teams is a tremendous asset to our program. A man of Wil's quality does not come around every day. His maturity and desire to better himself as a student along with his abilities on the court is huge for the lightning" said Head Coach Nathan Ruff.
The addition of Konybai to a Lightning roster that features a strong returning class sets Coach Ruff's team up for what should be a highly competitive 2019-20 season, though Ruff admits there is still work to be done.
"Securing Wil is the first step for putting the pieces together in the program for sustained success that can compete at the highest level in the ACAC," said Ruff. "This offseason will be paramount to develop our returning players and ensuring that they are ready to compete immediately next season and an impact player like Wil brings us that much closer to where we need to be."
Konybai cites a desire to return home and the acclaimed Bachelor of Education program at St. Mary's for leading him to sign with the Lightning.
"I am really happy to be home and be able to play in front of my friends and family again," explained Konybai. "St. Mary's has a great Education program which is something I am moving towards and I am really happy with the guys on the team, they are a great group of guys, they want to win just like me and I am really looking forward to doing it together."
