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Former Pine basketball player Breyanna Brown has signed a letter of intent to attend Tougaloo College and play basketball for the Lady Bulldogs.

“I can say this has been hard, but I was yet to give up,” Brown said. “Why give up on something you love? With me sitting out a year and to know that my mom’s health is good, it was a must that I continue to reach my goal. Basketball has been something I’ve loved doing since I was four years old. This is only the beginning. I’m gonna keep climbing until I make it to the top. I have signed to go play basketball for Tougaloo University in Jackson, Miss. I can say my freshman year was great with me playing for Angelina College (Lufkin, Texas). Then me receiving that phone call with my mom getting sick, it was a must that I transfer. I always had in my head that I love basketball too much to just let it go to waste. Now that I can say my mom is healed, I must continue to chase my dream. Not only that I have received my Associates (Degree) now I will be receiving a full scholarship. It was nobody but God.”

Brown is a 2017 Pine High School graduate.

She played basketball for the Lady Raiders. After high school, Brown went to Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas for a year. She then went to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College so she could move home and take care of her mom, who was sick. Brown was there the last two years. She played at Angelina and continued her basketball career at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Brown got her Associate’s Degree of Art at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in May.

Brown’s mother is healed now.

Brown, who will be a redshirt junior, said that she’s ready.

“I’ve been working out everyday,” Brown said. “When I went and worked out with the coach, he liked what he’s seen, so that’s why he signed me.”

Brown was referring to Tougaloo coach Keith Barnes, who enters his third year as the Lady Bulldogs coach.

“Just watching Breyanna and getting some referrals from her old coaches, I thought she’d be good for Tougaloo basketball,” Barnes said. “In her workouts, I saw hustle, determination and commitment. Commitment is big for me. Breyanna has the story about her mom and she moved back home to assist her mother through a turbulent time. That’s the kind of commitment we like and we’re happy to have her part of Tougaloo nation.”

Barnes talked about what he saw in Brown’s ability.

“She’s got good quick feet, runs the floor very well,” Barnes said. “She’s a little undersized to be a post, but we’re still excited because of athletic ability.”

Brown, who had a 4.0 grade point average this year, is majoring in athletic training.