CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) Former UVA and William Monroe High School women’s basketball standout Sam Brunelle is trying her hand at college coaching, joining the staff at Navy.

The Gatorade state player of the year as junior and a McDonald’s All-American as a senior, Brunelle led Wiliam Monroe to a regional championship in 2019, the school’s first since 1987.

“Sam’s passion for the game and her positivity jumped out at everyone during the interview process,” Navy coach Tim Taylor said in a statement released by the academy. “Sam was an outstanding player and has worked with elite level trainers and coaches throughout her career. You could see that high level training experience and knowledge when she put our coaches through an individual workout. She will be an outstanding teacher and role model for our players and they will be able to relate to her and benefit from her collegiate and USA Basketball experiences. In addition, her personality, ability to communicate and work ethic will make her an outstanding recruiter.”

Brunelle started her college career at Notre Dame, playing three seasons for the Fighting Irish before transferring to UVA ahead of the 2022-23 season. She scored the 1,000th point of her college career on Jan. 15 in a game against Boston College, and finished with 1,213 points and 493 rebounds.

She spent last season playing professionally in Greece.

“From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt a strong connection with the people, the players, the coaching staff, administration, and the pure culture and tradition that exists at the academy,” Brunelle said in the statement. “The values upheld at the Naval Academy — discipline, integrity, leadership, and service — deeply align with who I am, both as a person and a young professional. I’m a passionate and committed individual, and it means a great deal to me to help shape and serve the next generation of women who have chosen to compete at a high level while preparing to lead our country and beyond here at Navy.”