UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State women's basketball head coach Carolyn Kieger has announced the addition of George Washington transfer Ali Brigham ahead of the 2021-22 season. The six-foot-four center and Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team member led the Colonials in scoring as a freshman.
Ali Brigham | 6-4 | Center | Franklin, Mass. | Franklin High School | George Washington
2020-21 – at George Washington
- Put together a standout rookie season, leading George Washington in scoring with 11.9 points per game and a team-best 50.4 percent field goal percentage. Her 50.4 FG% ranked sixth amongst all Division I freshmen.
- Led all Atlantic 10 freshmen in points per game and field goal percentage to earn a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team.
- Also led the Colonials with 26 blocks and finished third in rebounding with 4.7 boards per contest.
- Appeared in all 23 games, while making 19 starts.
- Tallied 15 double-digit efforts on the season, reaching double figures 10 times in conference play. Scored at least eight points in all but one A-10 game.
- Scored a career-best 26 points on 12-of-15 shooting against VCU on Feb. 1, 2021. Pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds at Howard on Dec. 13, 2020.
- Earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week accolades on Feb. 15 after averaging 14.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.5 bpg while shooting 60% from the floor in two wins over Duquesne and St. Bonaventure.
High School
- Finished as Franklin High School's all-time leading scorer (men or women) and rebounder with 1,692 points and 1,276 boards.
- Named a Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year finalist after averaging 22 ppg and 14 rpg as a senior, leading her team to the Division 1 State Co-Championship and the #1 ranking in Massachusetts.
- Two-time Hockomock League MVP and two-time honoree on the Boston Globe All-Scholastic and Boston Herald All-Scholastic dream teams.
- Two-time team MVP and Underclassman of the Year as a freshman and a sophomore.
Kieger on Brigham
"We are ecstatic to welcome Ali to our Penn State family! Coming off a great freshmen season, she will add experience and efficiency in the post position. Ali is a strong back-to-the-basket post who can also step out and stretch the floor. Her vision and passing ability will also be a difference maker for our program. Following a strong rookie campaign, we can't wait to get Ali to Happy Valley and continue her progress. We are extremely excited to welcome Ali and her family to our lion PRIDE!"
Brigham on Why She Chose Penn State
"I'm super excited to join the team at Penn State and play for Coach Kieger! After speaking with the coaches and the players, I felt that Penn State was a perfect fit for me. The opportunity to play in a great conference and compete at the highest level was always a dream of mine. I can't wait to be a part of the Penn State family!"