While the season of Baruch College women’s basketball came to a close following a loss in the second round of the ECAC Division III Championship, junior guard Mia Castillo can still expect more accolades. With an average of 27.4 points per game, the CUNYAC Player of the Year sits atop NCAA Division III women’s basketball as the nation’s leading scorer as well as leading in steals.
“I think we had an amazing season,” said Castillo, who was also named to the CUNYAC Women’s Basketball First Team All-Stars. “I was really proud of the way we improved defensively and the chemistry on the team. … We got to find our groove and work well together. We were happy to get a bid in the ECAC. Just to say we got to play some basketball in March was fun. We played really hard.”
When it comes to being a great scorer, Castillo said she credits her success to head women’s basketball coach Michael Kotrozos. She started the season kind of rough, but putting in time in the gym and being intentional about training made a huge difference. Learning how to read the defender has been crucial in her offensive prowess.
“I never considered myself a shooter prior to college,” said Castillo, who switched from point guard in high school to shooting guard. “I really enjoyed passing and getting assists. Unlocking that level of scoring is cool. … I feel blessed.”
Born and raised in the Bronx, Castillo moved upstate as a teenager. When it came time to choose a college, she knew she wanted to play basketball, achieve academically, study business and move back to New York City. Baruch proved a great fit. Originally studying finance, she switched to accounting and is vice president of the Baruch chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). This summer she will intern at Grant Thornton LLP in the audit division. Her goal is to become a CPA.
“I take a lot of pride in being active outside of basketball,” Castillo said. “The stars aligned. I continue to play the sport that I love. Above all is academics.”
Castillo looks forward to transferring skills developed through basketball—work ethic, tenacity, resilience, leadership and teamwork—into her career. “There are teams in everything you do,” she said. “I’m passionate about the work I’m doing. I’m passionate about basketball and the work we’re doing with NABA. Diversity, equity and inclusion are values really important to me.”