Senior JaKayla Brown, a 5-foot-10-inch guard from LaPlata, Maryland, began her basketball career at age five. Despite playing soccer first, she fell in love with the game of basketball. “Both my parents played, so it was kind of ingrained in me from a young age,” Brown said. “So, they put me in basketball when I was like, five, and ever since then, I’ve been playing.” 

During her high school years, Brown played for St. Mary’s Ryken High School at the varsity level for four seasons. As a senior, she was named a McDonald’s All-American nominee and named to the first team of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) during her junior and senior years. To add to those accomplishments, she was named to St. Mary’s County’s first team and was the WCAC’s second-highest scorer. She was one of the top ten scorers in the Washington All-Met region and scored her 1,000th career point as a junior. In addition, she averaged double-digit points per game in each of her last three seasons. Brown finished with 1,485 points by the end of her time in high school. 

With a high school career like hers, there was no doubt about being recruited to a Division I school. Brown accomplished just that. “The coaching staff recruited me,” Brown said. “I visited Hofstra and fell in love with the campus.”

The faculty, staff and campus atmosphere drew her in, but it wasn’t just the campus she fell in love with – it was also the idea of being in a place like New York. “I’m from Maryland, so I wanted to get away from home, but not too far,” Brown said.

 Aside from the campus atmosphere, Brown believes she made the right choice by choosing Hofstra. “I love the coaches and the team,” she said. 

Brown’s game day ritual consists of remaining well-rested and relaxed. “I always try to take a nap before the game – probably 45 minutes to an hour,” Brown said. “Then, I always try to eat a piece of fruit, a banana or orange, something like that. I really just like to chill, though. Nothing crazy.” 

In the 2021-22 season, the Pride finished 8-20 overall and 4-14 in the conference. The season wasn’t ideal for their overall record, and as a result, they faced adversity. “I tried to overcome adversity in terms of just trying to stick with it, I guess, just being consistent,” Brown said.

While Brown is one of the key players for the Pride offense, she could only compete in eight games. Her injury early in the season somewhat set the tone for how the rest of the season would pan out. Trusting the process was vital. “Success will come later,” Brown said. “I’m not necessarily worried about the wins and losses, but rather growth.”

If Brown could change anything about this season, it would be being a better leader and teammate. “I’ve definitely felt empowered, and I feel like I have empowered my teammates,” Brown said. “It could have always been more in terms of me going out of my way to empower people and give them more confidence.”

The adjustment from high school to college can be challenging for some, but Brown’s overall sense of the game has heightened from freshman to senior year. “Being more under control, I will say, came with maturity,” Brown said. “The game slowed down a lot for me. I became more in control, confident and more comfortable on the court.”

College athletes suffer stressors that may not typically be present in the broader student population. As a result, student-athletes may be more susceptible to anxiety and despair. Athletes are concerned about their performance. They are frequently pushed to their limits physically, mentally and academically, especially at the Division I level. Another stressor many athletes face is playing in front of large crowds, such as in NCAA tournaments. When asked how Brown handles the pressure of performing in front of large groups, she said, “Staying in the moment and having fun … Understanding what you’re doing and not focusing on what’s going on around it. Also, having fun takes the pressure off, especially when you enjoy what you’re doing.” 

Along with Brown’s athletic talents, she belongs to many campus organizations dedicated to diversity, inclusivity and leadership. For example, Brown was a two-year member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), dedicated to developing cohesiveness amongst the student-athlete community. Brown has also been associated with the Prime Leadership Committee for two years, devoted to student-athletes who teach each other leadership skills through various workshops. “I learned that it’s important when you’re leading people for them to see you be vulnerable and show your emotions,” Brown said. “It shows that you’re a real person, not just trying to boss people around.”

Reflecting on her time at Hofstra, Brown says her proudest achievement was beating the number one seed in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament her first year. It’s safe to say Brown’s athleticism and achievements will have a lasting impact on the Hofstra women’s basketball program. If there is one piece of advice she hopes to leave with the Pride community with, it’s to be competitive. “Have a competitive nature in all aspects of your life,” Brown said. She believes holding yourself to a high standard and always doing the best you can be beneficial in the long run. 

After Hofstra, Brown hopes to attend graduate school and play basketball professionally. 

Photo courtesy of Tim Cowie/Colonial Athletic Association