You just can’t keep Liz Brenner away from Matthew Knight Arena.
Brenner, the famed multi-sport Oregon athlete will join the women’s basketball program for the 2015-2016 season, head coach Kelly Graves announced Monday evening.
“She’s a phenomenal person and a great teammate,” Graves said. “I know what she can do on the basketball court. She’s never been able to really show it here because you miss half the season and you’re never really in basketball shape. It’s a win-win.”
Graves called Brenner one of the “greatest athletes in the history of the state (of Oregon).”
Brenner said the decision to return wasn’t easy, but anticipates a productive season under Graves.
“I have absolutely loved my time at Oregon,” Brenner said. “I love competing in front of our fans and the City of Eugene is so supportive of everything that I’ve done.”
Brenner, a 6-foot-1 forward, played three seasons for former head coach Paul Westhead, beginning with her freshman year at Oregon before stepping away from basketball to focus on a USA Volleyball tryout and the newly-announced Sand Volleyball program in January 2014. That season, Brenner appeared in eight games, averaging 3.1 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game.
“I think with a full offseason of practice, it’ll really benefit her,” Graves said. “She gives us good depth inside.”
Graves praised her competitive spirit and said he hopes Brenner can be a leader off the court. Her selflessness, work ethic and skills can help build a championship program, he said.
“She’s the whole package, on and off the court,” Graves said.
Brenner has played in 49 games for the women’s basketball team, including 26 starts. She averaged 6.2 points and 5.8 rebounds a game.
Brenner just wrapped up her track and field season for the Ducks at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in mid-June. Both the men’s and women’s teams won the NCAA Championship.
Graves said Brenner made her decision to play basketball in April, but chose announce it after the track season.
Her name litters the Ducks’ volleyball record books. Brenner, a consensus All-American, finished her volleyball career second in program history for points, third in kills and 10th in digs.
“I don’t know if she’s ever devoted this much time to one sport,” Graves said. “Here she’s got all summer and all fall to dedicate to basketball. It’ll be something foreign to her.”
Brenner considered traveling overseas to pursue a volleyball career and will also have a year of track and field eligibility remaining in 2016, Graves said. She still plans to play overseas after the upcoming year.
“I decided if I had the opportunity, I might as well stay in Eugene for an extra year,” Brenner said. “Get to play some basketball, get to watch my brother play football and finish off college the right way.”
With the addition of Brenner to the roster, Graves now has 12 listed scholarship players for next fall. She will wear a No. 11 jersey for the Ducks next year.
“I’ll definitely be a little rusty,” Brenner admitted, “but that’s OK. Give me a couple of weeks and I’ll be good to go.”
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne