Sam Brunelle Announces She’s Coming Home

Even though she was just announced as the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers’ women’s basketball team just a few weeks ago, Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton has already landed her first major recruiting victory in the form of former top recruit and William Monroe standout Samantha Brunelle.

Formerly ranked as the No. 6 recruit in the 2019 class, Brunelle left Virginia for Notre Dame for her first three seasons of eligibility where she was a two time ACC Freshman of the Week and all the All-ACC Freshman Team for the 2019-20 season.

Unfortunately for Brunelle, Hall of Fame Notre Dame coach Muffett McGraw would retire at the end of the 2020 season and she would run in to a few injuries over the next few seasons.

This past season she played in 32 games, though she did not start in any, while averaging 6.8 points and shooting 45% from the field while helping Notre Dame to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Brunelle is the first major recruit Coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton has landed for UVA. Rumors are she has already recruited another major transfer to follow her from Missouri State, but that commitment has not come through yet.