Throwback Lobo: Cumber looking to add to impressive legacy

Viané Cumber is a bit of a throwback player for the UNM women’s basketball team.

In the days of NIL and NCAA transfer-portal mobility, Cumber is an Albuquerque native wrapping up an impressive four-year career at her hometown school. She’s carved out several spots for herself in New Mexico’s career record book and Sunday was named first-team All-Mountain West for the first time.

On Monday, Cumber will lead the Lobos (18-13, 11-7) into a MWC tournament quarterfinal against San Diego State (22-9, 11-7) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. She enters her final conference tournament comfortable with her accomplishments — with one exception.

“It’s really amazing how things have come together,” Cumber said. “I set goals for myself this year and I’ve been able to check off 90% of those boxes. Winning the Mountain West is the only one left, and we still have a chance to do that.”

If the Lobos are to make a tournament run, Cumber will have to do what she’s done best this season — lead. The 5-foot-11 guard is UNM’s top scorer at 15.5 points per game, leads the Mountain West in 3-pointers made (82) and 3-point percentage (36.3%), hit a league-best 90.7% from the free-throw line this season and ranked fifth in minutes played (33 per game).

Not bad considering many Mountain West foes go well out of their way to keep Cumber under wraps. She frequently draws opposing teams’ best defenders and sometimes attracts double-teams when she catches the ball inside.

But even when Cumber is unable to find open shots, she finds ways to set up teammates and keeps the UNM offense moving.

“She’s one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached,” UNM coach Mike Bradbury said. “They talk about getting what you deserve in life, well, she’s getting what she deserves. She’s a great kid and a hard worker. I’m incredibly proud of V.”

Cumber was prominent on UNM’s recruiting radar when she was lighting up New Mexico prep basketball scoreboards at Sandia High School. Cumber was a two-time Gatorade New Mexico Player of the Year despite playing primarily as a post for the Matadors.

She did not initially choose to become a Lobo, committing instead to play at Texas Tech. But a coaching change in Lubbock prompted Cumber to rethink her decision, and she now believes things have turned out for the best.

“Playing here has been more than what I imagined community-wise,” she said. “The fans have been so supportive and I’m proud I’ve been able to work hard, better myself and impact people in a good and positive way. It’s really been kind of a dream come true.”

Cumber has managed to etch her name in UNM’s record book in ways she didn’t necessarily expect. She moved to a guard spot by necessity at the college level and was asked to become a 3-point shooter after rarely attempting long-range shots in high school.

Mission accomplished. Going into the Mountain West tournament, Cumber has hit more 3-pointers (240) than any other Lobo, having surpassed LaTascya Duff’s career total in UNM’s regular-season finale against Air Force.

This comes after Cumber smashed another program shooting record by hitting 55 consecutive free throws during a remarkable stretch this season.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know about the 3-point record or the free-throw record until someone posted them online,” Cumber said. “I went into the year wanting to score 1,000 (career) points and better my stats, but once I found out about those other records, I thought, ‘Okay, let’s make that a goal, too.’”

Cumber goes into Monday’s game with 1,182 career points and ranks 14th on UNM’s career scoring list. She also has 477 career rebounds but would likely need a lengthy Lobos run to reach 500.

Regardless, Cumber is hoping to extend a senior season that she says has been the most enjoyable of her college career.

“I’ve enjoyed the other teams I’ve been on here,” she said, “but the girls on this team have a different vibe. It’s like a family, everyone supports each other. It’s been a great senior year so far.”

Cumber was quick to add that a MWC tournament run could make her final UNM go-round that much better.

“”Yeah, I feel like the anticipation has been building up for this,” she said. “But it’s kind of been that way all year — try to set the free-throw record, get to 1,000 points, hit one more 3 in my last home game. I just know we’re excited to play this tournament, go as hard as we can and see what happens. No regrets.”

MWC HONORS: Cumber was the only Lobo named to the 10-member All-Mountain West Team on Sunday, but teammates Destinee Hooks and Joana Magalhães also were honored. Hooks, a sophomore, was one of three players receiving All-Mountain West honorable mention. Magalhães was named to the six-player All-Freshman Team.

“As far as our team goes, I think they nailed it,” Bradbury said. “V, Destinee and Jo had great conference seasons and (the honors) are well-deserved.”

Wyoming’s Allyson Fertig was named MWC Player of the Year, while Colorado State’s Emma Ronsiek was named Newcomer of the Year, Wyoming’s Emily Mellema was Defensive Player of the Year, and UNLV’s Meadow Roland picked up both Freshman of the Year and Sixth Player of the Year. UNLV’s Lindy La Rocque was named Coach of the Year.