Mumford has
Division 1 dreams

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Kahlil Mumford watched as Division II recruitment offers filed in from various colleges.
He watched his teammates choose their college destinations.
He waited patiently to decide which basketball jersey he would be wearing next season.
As they say, good things come to those who wait.
The 5-foot-9 guard for Cardinal Dougherty High School’s basketball team recently received a scholarship to Saint Peter’s College, a Division 1 school in Jersey City, N.J.
"I really wanted to go to a Division I school," said Mumford. "The offer came late in the year, so I was very excited to hear from them."
Other schools that showed interest in Mumford included Bloomsburg, East Stroudsburg, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Central Connecticut.
But Mumford knew what he wanted. If he had any say about it, he wasn’t going to settle for anything short of a Division I collegiate basketball career.
"It was a lot of hard work," he said, while standing in the Cardinals’ gym. "I’m working out as much as I can, usually three times out of five days. But I’m ready for the next level."
The opportunity to play at a Division 1 school wouldn’t have been possible for Mumford without a little help from the competition. When planning for college, he wanted to send tapes of various high school games, but he had no film.
"After games, the other coaches would say, ‘If you ever need anything, give me a call,’" said Mumford. "So I did, and it was very beneficial."
Mumford borrowed game film from Archbishop Ryan and North Catholic.
"Of course I thanked them a lot," he said. "I’m very interested to see how they’re doing. They helped me tremendously, and I’ll always be grateful for that."
But the fact that he scored 445 points this season certainly helped a lot too. Mumford’s skills on tape quickly caught the eye of Peacocks head coach John Dunne.
Mumford averaged 14 points per game for the Cardinals during the season and was awarded the Catholic League Northern Division MVP. The Cardinals were division champs with a 25-3 overall record.
"I was very excited and proud to be named MVP this season," he said. "Dougherty really helped me play to my potential. They supported me through the good and the bad and taught me a lot."
Mumford put together some impressive stats on Dougherty’s basketball court. He has started since his sophomore year, when the Cardinals’ sophomore-heavy lineup took second place in the Northern Division.
"As a freshman, he came in as a kid who could just shoot the ball from outside," said Cardinal Dougherty coach Mark Heimerdinger. "And now he’s leaving as an accomplished Division 1 player."
In eight weeks, Mumford will bid farewell to the Cardinals at graduation and start the next chapter of his basketball career. He plans to spend the summer practicing — and he’ll spend time with his family and friends — before moving to Jersey City.
"I’ll be working out a lot this summer. I’ll probably move into college a little early," he said. "I know I’ll be OK living on campus. I’m always traveling with tournaments, so I know how to take care of myself away from home. I’ll behave."
It won’t be goodbye for too long, though. Mumford’s friends and family will surely visit, especially once basketball season is underway.
"My dad helps me work on my game a lot," said Mumford. "My entire family supports me. They are always pushing me to do my best and work hard."
As for the academic side at Saint Peter’s, Mumford will be going after a degree in nursing.
"Nursing is something I’ve always been interested in," he said. "I’ve always had an interest in science and I like working with people, so I think it’ll be a great fit."
As a college athlete and student, Mumford will surely have a busy schedule, yet he anticipates it with excitement and confidence.
"I want to be a professional basketball player and a professional nurse," he said. "It’ll be busy, and a lot of work, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
"I have a lot to look forward to," he added. "I’m very excited to see what this year brings. I plan to keep working hard, and hopefully good things will happen." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com