UM's Beatrice Mompremier bypassing WNBA draft, Laura Cornelius opts to go pro
By Christy Cabrera Chirinos
Apr 04, 2019 | 4:05 PM
| CORAL GABLES
Hurricanes forward Beatrice Mompremier, who led the Hurricanes in scoring, has opted to return to Miami next season instead of making herself eligible for the WNBA draft. (Luis M. Alvarez / AP)
Less than two weeks after its season ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the Hurricanes women's basketball team now knows that one of its top players will return to Coral Gables next fall, while another has decided to start her professional career.
Forward Beatrice Mompremier, an AP All-American honorable mention selection and first-team All-ACC selection who led the Hurricanes in scoring and rebounding this season, has decided to return to Miami, though she is eligible for next week's WNBA draft. Meanwhile, redshirt junior guard Laura Cornelius has decided to bypass her final year of eligibility.
Cornelius, who hails from the Netherlands and is likely to start her professional career in Europe, is set to graduate with a degree in public health next month.
"Four years ago, I made the best decision in my life so far: committing to the U and becoming a Miami Hurricane. It was a childhood dream come true and the past [four] years have been nothing short of amazing," Cornelius wrote on Twitter. "However, after much consideration, I have decided to forego my 5th year of eligibility and pursue my next dream — playing professionally. I want to thank everyone close to this program, my teammates, coaches and most importantly, the fans for the unconditional support I have received over the past few years. It's been one heck of a ride.
"Despite feeling ready for this next chapter, I'm announcing this with a heavy heart. I put my heart and soul into this program and will forever be grateful for the opportunity to play for the U and be a part of the Canes family. Once a Cane, always a Cane."
Said Miami coach Katie Meier in a statement, "It is a dream of Laura's to play professionally and I truly support that. She has given her heart and soul to the University of Miami and to our team. Laura has tremendous international experience and had an amazing career for us here in the ACC, the best league in the country. I have been so blessed to share her four-year journey with her. While I will miss her a great deal, I'm very proud of her, both personally and professionally."
Cornelius averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and a team-high 4.15 assists per game last season as the Hurricanes put together one of the most memorable seasons in recent memory, upsetting defending national champion Notre Dame and beating Louisville and Syracuse on the road.
With Cornelius' decision and the graduation of first-team All-ACC selection Emese Hof, the Hurricanes will have to make adjustments after losing two of their top four scorers and two of their veteran leaders.
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Having Mompremier back, though, will provide a significant boost.
The former Miami High standout averaged 16.7 points and 12.2 rebounds this season and led the ACC with 25 double-doubles. She scored at least 20 points in eight of 33 games and scored at least 12 points in all but four of those games.
"While my dream is to play in the WNBA, I think I have a lot of improvements I can make before moving to that level, including expanding my range," Mompremier said in a statement. "I'm excited to return to Miami for another season and not only work on my skills, but compete alongside my teammates and continue to pursue our goals."
The Hurricanes went 25-9 this past season and were ranked 19th in the final AP Top 25 poll. Their season ended one game shy of the Sweet 16 with a 57-55 loss to Arizona State late last month.
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