Biography
By Jim Hague
It may be the easiest recruiting job of Rutgers-Newark women’s basketball coach Kevin Morris’ career.
Martyna Ruminska always wanted to attend R-N, all throughout her days as a basketball standout at Kearny High School.
“I just always wanted to go there,” said Ruminska, who has been the most influential newcomer on the Scarlet Raider roster this season. “It was my dream school. As tacky as it sounds, it’s really where I wanted to go more than any place else. I always felt comfortable there. It was close to home and that was important to me. I just felt like it was always a good fit.”
However, Ruminska had to wait before she could enroll at her dream school. She received a scholarship to attend Union County College and played two seasons there, leading UCC to two of their most successful seasons ever, capturing two straight Garden State Athletic Conference championships, including the first undefeated season in the school’s history last year, going 27-0.
“It was definitely a good experience for me to go to Union County College,” Ruminska said. “I felt I learned a lot and it made me a better person and a better player. I changed a lot as a player and I grew up a lot as a player and a person.”
But throughout her tenure at UCC, R-N coach Morris always had a keen interest.
“We really liked Martyna in high school and wanted her to come then,” Morris said. “But she had the chance to go to Union, so we understood. But I kept talking to her while she was there and we saw her play both years that she was there. We even scrimmaged them to see her play, so we kept close tabs on her.”
So it was only natural that Ruminska should enroll at R-N after her two-year stint at UCC was over.
“I was really looking forward to coming to Rutgers,” Ruminska said. “I was ready to do whatever Coach Morris wanted me to do.”
After two games, that appears to be a little bit of everything. Ruminska, who was named to the All-Tournament Team for the John K. Adams Tip-Off Classic, a tourney won by the Scarlet Raiders, has already seen time at point guard, shooting guard and small forward/wing. Ruminska has been the team’s leading scorer so far, averaging 14.5 points over the first two victories.
“I always felt that she could be a scorer and she’s done that already,” Morris said. “She is very versatile, shooting, passing, defending. We’re going to play her at a lot of positions, but her main bread and butter is shooting the ball.”
Ruminska also seems to have a good karma and chemistry with sophomore Jared Tactuk, the Scarlet Raiders’ leading scorer a year ago.
“We already knew Jared could score, so adding Martyna will open up the entire floor,” Morris said. “I think Martyna has the best range and can hit the 3-pointer. I think it’s going to be a good mix between the two of them.”
“I’m still getting used to things and it’s still going to take me a little while, but I do feel that I have a good connection with Jared,” Ruminska said. “Our styles are a lot alike and we complement each other well.”
Ruminska said that she really doesn’t have a true position.
“I just play,” Ruminska said. “I’m ready to play anywhere. I also know that if my shot isn’t dropping, then I have to do a little different, like taking the ball to the basket, getting fouled. I make free throws well and I know that’s part of the game. I’m just doing what I do.”
Morris said that Ruminska has really been a good fit to his program.
“The kids all like her,” Morris said. “She’s a good kid. I have no problems with her at all. She’s an unselfish player and plays hard all the time. She goes and goes and goes. No question, she’s going to be a 30-minute per game player every night. She’s also going to get better. She’s new to us, new to the system. We’re still figuring out what other options we have. I’m happy she’s jelled with us so far, but I’ll be happier in January and February.”
Ruminska is a native of Poland, who came to Kearny when she was in second grade. When she arrived, she didn’t speak a word of English, but she became a fast learner, much like she has been in basketball.
Last summer, Ruminska returned to Poland for the first time in a few years.
“I hadn’t had a chance to go in a while, but I went and loved it,” Ruminska said. “We have a lot of family in Poland. I really miss it sometimes. Part of me wishes I had a chance to grow up there. It’s so totally different than here.”
Ruminska is planning on majoring in criminal justice at Rutgers-Newark, with the hope of doing something in the investigative field when she graduates.
“I just love that field,” Ruminska said. “Maybe I might consider going to law school. But I’m glad to be here now. I always had a good feeling that this was the place for me. It’s going to be a good season. I just have a good feeling about it.”
And Rutgers-Newark has a good feeling about Martyna Ruminska.
