Women’s basketball star pivots to volleyball after going undrafted by WNBA

TL;DR

Brooklyn Meyer, a standout women's basketball player, went undrafted in the WNBA and will now join the South Dakota State volleyball team. She previously excelled in both sports during her high school career.

Key points

Brooklyn Meyer averaged 22.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
She was named Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year.
Meyer went undrafted in the WNBA Draft.
She will join the South Dakota State volleyball team.
Meyer was a multi-sport athlete in high school.

Mentioned in this story

Larchwood, Iowa

Brooklyn MeyerSouth Dakota State JackrabbitsWNBA Draft

Brooklyn Meyer was one of the best women’s college basketball players in the country this past season.

After averaging 22.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits — and ranking third nationally in field goal percentage with a mark of 64.6% — she was named the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year. Meyer was a key player on four South Dakota State teams that have played in the NCAA Tournament, and she was also just one of two mid-major players selected to play in the Women’s College All-Star Game this year.

But, somewhat surprisingly, the 6-foot-2 forward from Larchwood, Iowa, went unselected in this year’s WNBA Draft. Only one mid-major player — Davidson’s Charlise Dunn — was drafted.

Instead of pursuing a contract overseas like many undrafted players, Meyer is pivoting to another sport.

The former Summit League Player of the Year will join the Jackrabbits’ volleyball team for the upcoming season. Meyer was a multi-sport athlete at West Lyon High School, where she played three seasons on the varsity volleyball team.

"Brooklyn is a champion, plain and simple," SDSU volleyball coach Dan Georgalas said. "We are excited to welcome an elite competitor with a championship mentality to our program. Her work ethic and physical preparation will make the transition to volleyball faster than most would think. Her legacy at SDSU is already enormous and it will be special for volleyball to be part of one final chapter."

Meyer exhausted her collegiate basketball eligibility but is permitted by the NCAA to play a fifth season in a different sport. That rule has been used by a handful of college athletes over recent years. Last year, one of the best lacrosse players in the nation, two-time All-American Sammy White, joined Northwestern’s basketball team. Alabama softball player Abby Duchscherer is set to join North Dakota’s basketball team next season.

"I am so excited to join the SDSU volleyball team and represent the Jacks for another season," Meyer said. "It has been so fun to watch this team over the last few years, and the opportunity to be a part of that as I pursue my master's degree is so special."

Meyer was exploring sticking around South Dakota State anyway to finish her master's degree in nutrition and dietetics. Now, she’ll feature as a middle blocker for the volleyball team while balancing her studies.