Stephanie Mavunga joins Team USA

On and off the court, Stephanie Mavunga made herself heard.

Whether she was playing well or not, the forward for the North Carolina women’s basketball team channeled her inner point guard, communicating with her teammates on both ends of the floor.

But Mavunga wasn’t sure she would make the 2015 U.S. Pan American Women’s Basketball Team.

“You can’t expect to make it,” Mavunga said. “Because every year, players go back and get better — especially if they get cut.”

Mavunga’s name hadn’t been called at her last Team USA tryout, despite having won gold at the U-16 level in 2011, so the forward had fuel for her fire in hopes of making the 12-member roster.

For Mavunga, her greatest asset was a core of coaches and players with her at UNC.

“They’ve helped me tremendously,” Mavunga said. “From the big things to the little things, they’ve been my greatest support system.”

For Mavunga, playing for her country means not only performing at an elite level but also showing a high level of character.

And those who know Mavunga are confident she’s up for both tasks.

“The image that she brings is exactly the image you want to be representing United States basketball,” Coach Sylvia Hatchell said.

Hatchell saw potential in Mavunga from the start.

On Mavunga’s first visit to UNC as a sophomore in high school, Hatchell offered her a scholarship to play for the Tar Heels.

Lisa Bluder, U.S. Pan Am and University of Iowa coach, saw the same potential at trials but not for the first time.

“I know what a great player she is since I recruited her when she was in high school,” Bluder said.

Mavunga will be looked to for her inside presence and physicality but will also be asked to extend her game beyond the paint at times.

That is good news for both Mavunga and her team, as she led UNC in both offensive and total rebounds at 4.1 and 9.6 per game, respectively.

Mavunga also led her team in field goal percentage and field goals made, meaning the U.S. Pan Am Team can look to the forward for baskets when they need them.

Many of the players Mavunga played against in high school and college will join her on the squad. University of South Carolina players Alaina Coates and Tiffany Mitchell faced off against Mavunga and the Tar Heels when UNC was knocked out of the NCAA tournament.

The three went from adversaries to teammates in quick fashion, but getting along shouldn’t be too difficult — that’s sort of Mavunga’s thing.

“(Stephanie) just exuberates and makes people smile,” Hatchell said. “She’s just a delightful person to be around.”

Mavunga said she enjoyed chatting with her teammates and getting to know them beyond the game of basketball. After all, this journey is about more than post-ups and outlet passes.

“Basketball is going to end one day,” Mavunga said. “You have to make bonds that last beyond the sport. That’s what I’m always trying to do.”

One thing is for sure: on and off the court, Mavunga won’t be silenced.

sports@dailytarheel.com