UAPB Women Hoops Names Briona Brown As Assistant Coach
Briona Brown joins the Lady Lions basketball staff as an assistant coach summer 2021.
Prior to joining the UAPB staff, Brown was an assistant at Jacksonville University for three seasons. Brown helped the Dolphins to a four-game improvement, three in conference play, from year one to year two. Known for her on-floor leadership and versatility, she passed that along to the young front court that she has tutored the last three seasons. “In Briona Brown, I have made a hire that I believe will help take this basketball program to a new level, said UAPB head coach Dawn Thornton.” “She has a deep commitment to developing players into model student-athletes.” “I’ve had the pleasure in working with her while at Jacksonville University and I knew once we first connected she would be someone with a bright future in our game. Daily we work hard to put perfect examples in front of our young women, to allow them to get a glimpse of what their future will look like. Coach Brown has that “IT” factor. ”
After spending two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Warner University in Lake Wales, Florida, Brown returned to her alma mater. During her time with the Royals, she was responsible for the holistic development of Warner’s post players, individual skill development, and overseeing the team’s academic progress.
As a former student-athlete at JU standout for the Dolphins from 2012-16, Briona Brown earned back-to-back ASUN Conference All-Tournament Team honors in 2015 and 2016 and was a 2016 All-ASUN Second Team selection. Behind her leadership on the court as a senior and team captain, the Dolphins won the 2016 ASUN Tournament and earned the program’s first-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament. She still ranks among the program’s leaders in points with 1,215 (5th all-time), rebounds with 650 (5th all-time), blocks with 82 (6th all-time), and steals with 134 (10th all-time).
“While I am forever grateful for my time spent at Jacksonville University, I am eager to step into my new role at the University Arkansas at Pine Bluff. I had the pleasure of working alongside Coach Dawn Thornton earlier in my coaching career, so when the opportunity presented itself to work for her it was a no brainer, said Brown.” “I am excited to help guide and lead these young women through obstacles and to success in order to help them become the best versions of themselves, on and off the court. Thank you Coach Thornton and the entire UAPB nation for this opportunity; it’s time to get to work. #OURway”
Following her collegiate career at Jacksonville, Briona Brown became one of two Dolphins to play professionally overseas when she inked a deal in September 2017 with SBS Ostrava in the Czech Republic
