Michelle Munoz and teammates along with Tennessee coach Pat Summitt and assistant coach Al Brown at coach Summitt's home as pairings for the first round of the Women's NCAA tournament were announced Sunday, March 10, 2002 in Knoxville. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Former Mason High star Michelle Munoz has orally committed to play basketball at Ohio State under new coach Jim Foster.

        Munoz visited the University of Cincinnati, Miami and Xavier but chose Ohio State after a long meeting with Foster last weekend.

        “There were a lot of reasons for my decision. They just had a good mix of academics and basketball, and I really like Coach Foster,” Munoz said.

        Munoz, a 6-foot-1 forward, announced plans to transfer from the University of Tennessee April 10. As a freshman she averaged 9.6 minutes per game in 27 games, with 3.7 points and 2.0 rebounds. Tennessee went 29-5 and reached the NCAA semifinals.

        Munoz said her decision to leave Tennessee was difficult, but necessary.

        “I didn't see things getting better for me in the next three years, and that wasn't based on playing time. The style wasn't really the best for me,” she said.

        Foster accepted the Ohio State coaching position April 7. An 11-year coach at Vanderbilt University, Foster last led the Commodores to a 30-7 record, 10-4 SEC mark and an SEC tournament championship. Vanderbilt lost to Tennessee 68-63 in the NCAA Midwest Regional final March 25.

        Ohio State was 14-15 overall and 8-8 in the Big Ten last season under Beth Burns, whose contract was not renewed.

        “I know a lot of people don't understand this, but it's just a decision I had to make," Munoz said. “Sometimes you've just got to do what makes you happy.”

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