Brunelle: I’m coming home; commits to UVA women’s basketball

By Jerry Ratcliffe

It didn’t take long for Samantha Brunelle to decide her next basketball destination, and to locals, her choice came as no surprise but rather delight.

The former William Monroe High School All-American announced on her Twitter account Saturday that she’s coming home. Brunelle committed to Virginia and new Cavaliers’ coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.

After entering the transfer portal last week from Notre Dame, fans suspected Brunelle might be heading back to Charlottesville, especially after revealing she was visiting UVA this weekend. She could be a strong building block in Coach Mox’s rebuilding project of the Cavaliers, who have suffered through four consecutive losing seasons under former coach Tina Thompson.

“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave and feels even better to come back … I’m coming HOME,” Brunelle said on her Twitter.

She posted several photos wearing a Virginia uniform.

The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and feels even better to come back… I’m coming HOME 🧡⚔️💙 #GoHoos #wahoowa pic.twitter.com/l7M3dq8WNj

— Samantha Brunelle (@SamBrunelle_33) April 9, 2022

Brunelle, who has two years of eligibility remaining, was recruited to South Bend by hall of fame coach Muffet McGraw, who has since retired.

The Greene County native was named All-ACC freshman and started all 31 games, averaging 13.9 points per game that season. She didn’t miss any games this past season while coming off the bench. During her three-year career with the Irish, she averaged 10 point and four rebounds per game, while shooting 42.6 percent from the floor.