RECRUITING: Liberty’s Brown chooses Dartmouth

Liberty’s Kealy Brown had originally planned to stay close to home for college.

The Patriots’ senior guard, who was receiving interest from a pair of private Southern California schools, had a change of heart after visiting Darmouth College in November.

Brown committed Thursday to join the Big Green in New Hampshire next fall. Ivy League schools do not sign letters of intent.

“I was planning on staying close to home,” Brown said. “But I just found that Dartmouth was the best decision to make. It was high-level basketball and, of course, the Ivy League academics. It was kind of a no-brainer with that. It was the perfect visit. They treated me and my mom really well. We got to see the program as a whole and we really liked it.”

Brown, a 5-foot-8-inch guard, has done a little bit of everything in her time with Liberty’s girls basketball team. She’s been an integral part of the Patriots’ recent success, which includes back-to-back state tournament appearances.

Liberty (15-3) is poised to make another deep run this season behind Brown, who is averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 2.1 assists per game.

“The past three years I’ve been coaching her have been amazing,” Liberty coach Chad Kapanui said. “She’s an energizer bunny and she outworks everybody in the gym. She’s also a good role model for the rest of the team. Everyone plays harder because of her.”

Brown, who also had interest from Vanguard and California Lutheran, admitted the distance will be tough next fall but is looking forward to the all-around challenge. She hopes to become an anesthesiologist one day.

“(The distance) is going to be the hardest part,” Brown said. “But I have a good support system, and the coaches and the atmosphere is perfect there.”

Brown’s commitment gives the Patriots two future Division I players. Teammate Paris Strawther has signed with UNLV.