Rudy Marisa had the kind of athletic career that puts your family’s surname on the map — or in his case — the building.
Marisa helped lead the Penn State men’s basketball team to its only NCAA Final Four appearance in school history in the early 1950s, then transitioned to coaching where he led Waynesburg University to become a national small college power, before eventually having the Greene County institution name its fieldhouse in his honor.
Now, one of Marisa’s grandchildren is taking the family business in a new direction.
Makenna Marisa, fresh off wrapping up one of the most prolific careers in Penn State women’s basketball history, has signed a contract to play professionally in Europe.
The 2019 Peters Township graduate late last month agreed to a one-year contract with David Kornel Basketball Academy, which plays its home games in Székesfehérvár, Hungary.
“My family, and even extended family, they’re all like, ‘We’re going to come visit,’” Marisa said. “They’re just extremely excited, and they said that they’re proud. So, yeah, it’s really cool.”
Marisa said she is scheduled to move to Hungary Aug. 14 and play a few “friendly,” or exhibition games as they’re known to Americans, with her new team over the next few weeks. She said David Kornel Basketball Academy opens its regular season in late September.
“It is a dream come true,” Marisa said. “I’m really thankful. It hasn’t completely hit me yet, I will say. I feel like it’s not actually going to hit me until I’m on the plane going to Hungary or I get there. It is really cool.
“I’m just really looking forward to getting the opportunity to make basketball my full-time job and get back to work here,” she added. “I’m excited to play again.”
Opponents in Europe may not be so thrilled to get a look at the United States’ latest export.
In five seasons at State College, Marisa became the only player in the history of the Penn State women’s basketball program to surpass 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 200 3-pointers and 175 steals. She averaged 15.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game during a career, which included 140 starts.
“She did what had to be done for the team at different pieces and different times,” Penn State women’s basketball coach Carolyn Kieger said. “She is 100% one of the best Lady Lions to ever put the jersey on.”
Kieger said she expects Marisa to transition well to the pro level.
“I think her game is going to translate really, really well because of the 24-second shot clock,” she said. “She plays downhill. She plays up-tempo. She never gets tired.”
The offensive sets utilized by many European teams, which are heavy on ball screens, play right into Marisa’s offensive skill set, Kieger said.
“She’s done that a ton with us,” she said. “She loves to play off that pick and roll, and that’s a big thing in Europe. I think she’s definitely ready for that. I think she’s versatile as a defender, can guard multiple positions with her height and then she can rebound.
“I think, over there, being a taller scoring guard, I think it’s actually a perfect fit for her style and also her stamina with the shorter shot clock and a faster-paced game.”
Add in the leadership capabilities Marisa developed during her time at Penn State, and Kieger said David Kornel Basketball Academy is getting a pretty complete player — even for a rookie.
“They don’t make ’em better,” Kieger said. “She is salt of the earth. She is such a team player. She loves her family, loves her friends, loves her teammates, always putting other people first, very selfless, but she’s also got that competitive, killer nature, too, which is obviously what’s made her very successful.”
And, Kieger said, her former player has plenty of prospects to get back to the United States and play professionally someday, too.
“I absolutely believe she can get back to the states,” Kieger said. “With her ability to score, she’s just a weapon at all three levels, which is rare. I think a lot of people needed to go overseas to get bigger, faster, stronger, to get ready to play in that physicality of the WNBA. I think her best basketball is ahead of her, and I’m excited to see her thrive in Europe and hopefully have a transfer over at some point to get her shot in the league.”
For Marisa, that kind of progression in her career would be a dream come true.
“I think I’m open to all opportunities that present themselves,” she said. “It has always been a dream of mine to play in the WNBA, but to play overseas and travel, too. Those have both been on my list. I just really want to play at the highest level I can, and I know there’s a lot of WNBA players that play in Europe as well. It would be cool to get that opportunity.”
In the meantime, Marisa said she is excited to begin her career in Hungary.
“I consider myself a hard worker, and I think that’s going to carry over to the next level,” she said. “I’m pretty determined and willing to work, willing to get better … willing to be a sponge and learn from my teammates as well. I’m hoping kind of how I played at Penn State carries over, too, but I also hope I grow in a lot of areas.”
John is a copy editor and page designer at the Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at jsanta@unionprogress.com.