Former Nebraska forward Leigha Brown announces transfer to Michigan

A blow to the Huskers, but an unexpected gift for the Wolverines.

After announcing on Thursday that she would enter the transfer portal, former Nebraska women’s basketball player Leigha Brown announced Sunday that she will continue her collegiate athletic career in Ann Arbor with the Michigan Wolverines.

Brown led the Huskers in scoring this past season, averaging 14.4 points per game. She came off the bench during every one of her 30 appearances, earning her Big Ten Sixth Woman of the Year honors. She increased her scoring by 4.8 points per game from her freshman season in 2018-19. Most recently, Brown posted 22 points in an 81-75 loss to Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

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Brown informed the Omaha World-Herald of her decision to leave Nebraska, claiming she wanted to play closer to her hometown of Auburn, Indiana. While Lincoln, Nebraska is greater than a 10 hour drive away from Auburn, Ann Arbor, Michigan requires just a two hour trip northeast.

“Leigha has spent the past couple weeks at home with her family during this truly unique and unprecedented time in the world,” Nebraska coach Amy Williams said Thursday night, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. “She indicated to us that she would like to find somewhere closer to home to continue her career. We wish her the best moving forward.”

Prior to Brown’s departure, the Cornhuskers had already lost fellow sophomores Ashtyn Verbeek and Kayla Mershon to transfers as well, leaving next season’s roster in flux.

Michigan, meanwhile, adds Brown to what promises to be an improved roster from this season’s 21-11 team, highlighted by the return by Consensus All-Big Ten First Teamer Naz Hillmon. The program also recently announced another year of eligibility for Akienreh Johnson, who sustained multiple ACL injuries throughout her tenure with the Wolverines.

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