MSU women's hoops has 'winner' in transfer Taya Reimer

EAST LANSING - Taya Reimer is no stranger to basketball success.

The decorated resume for the 6-foot-4 forward includes being a four-time medalist with USA Basketball, McDonald’s All-American status and playing in a pair of national championship games while at Notre Dame.

And Reimer hopes her experience can translate to more success on the court for the Michigan State women’s basketball team.

Reimer was one of the big offseason additions for the Spartans and has immediate eligibility after completing her degree at Notre Dame in film, television and theater during the summer. The graduate transfer will be a key presence for an MSU team that lost three starters, including all-time scoring leader Aerial Powers and post players Akyah Taylor and Jasmine Hines, from last year’s team that went 25-9 and finished third in the Big Ten.

“The one thing you always think about with her is she’s been a winner everywhere she’s been,” MSU coach Suzy Merchant said. “She’s been a McDonald’s All-American, she knows how to compete at a high level. You mention Notre Dame’s success, and she was a big part of that. For us to have her and add her into the mix (is great).

“We lost Aerial, a kid to me who had a lot of game experience and confidence and had a standard of excellence about her, and I think Taya brings that same thing to the team, and really at a great time. I think Taya has really added a lot to our team from the neck up. The mental approach – that’s harder than the physical approach sometimes. She has a great voice on our team, she’s picked things up extremely quickly and obviously I think she’s just a championship mentality type player.”

The strong skill set Reimer, a lefty, has in the post is something the Spartans believe will add another dynamic to what Merchant has described as a versatile roster. She averaged 10.2 points and shot 51.6 percent while earning All-ACC honors in the 2014-15 season — her last full one with the Irish.

Reimer believes she is one of many strong pieces that can help the Spartans continue their winning ways under Merchant.

“All of our bigs really this year can pass really well and can shoot from the outside,” Reimer said. ”We have really versatile post players and that’s something I’ve always tried to focus on for myself and something I’m going to definitely bring to this team.

“I think the great thing about our team is that we have so many people that can score and people that can do things on the offensive end. I’m really looking forward to this season because it will be great.”

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.