Arundell leading new Toronto club

Toronto Lady Elite 1's are back. After a seven-year hiatus the team has been reformed to compete in the Women's Basketball Development Association. On June 16 the team hosted their first game in Canada defeating the Lake Erie Strive in exhibition play 69-56.

Led by head coach Allana Arundell and her assistant Nambogga Sewali, the Canadian club is back on the courts hoping to provide opportunities in basketball for women in the Greater Toronto Area. 

Originally formed in 2010, the Toronto club played two seasons in the Women's Blue Chip Basketball League winning just one game. With the evolution of WBCBL to WBDA the time came for the rebirth of the franchise. 

"We are thankful and excited to be the first and only Canadian team to participate in the WBDA," commented Arundell after the victory against Lake Erie. "This is a great way to expose Canadian female players to new levels of basketball and experiences."

Former Tulsa Shock center Mimi Mungedi led the Lady Elite 1's in the June 16 victory over the Strive scoring 16 points. Mungedi was a 2015 WNBA Third Round Draft Pick of the Shock out of the University of Nevada, where she was named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year after her senior season.

Ex-George Brown College standout Angel Mbikay added 14 points.

With a six-game exhibition schedule set for 2019, Arundell is optimistic about the future of the team.

"Our exhibition season has been a great experience so far. Everyone has been welcoming and patient with us and we look forward to the future!"