SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Fairfield University Women's Basketball graduate student Janelle Brown was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List, recognizing the top point guards in the country. Brown was one of just 20 guards nationally to be selected, and the only in the mid-major landscape. Brown will return for her sixth season with the Stags, already eclipsing 1,000 points in her career.
 
"This is an incredible recognition for Nellie, being named among the nation's premier point guards and the only mid-major player represented on the list," Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis said. "After redshirting last season due to injury, this honor speaks volumes about the respect she's earned and the impact she has on both ends of the floor."
 
Brown will be returning from a season-ending injury that derailed her 2024-25 campaign after just nine games. Coming into that season, Brown was voted the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year while also earning a spot on the WBCA Becky Hammon Preseason Watch List, honoring the best mid-major players in the country.
 
Brown was elevated into the national conversation after a breakout senior season that earned her the MAAC Player of the Year award while leading the Stags to their most historic seasons in school history. During that season, Brown averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. She had the highest field goal percentage among any guard in the country with a .572 clip and set a program single-season record by shooting .451 from 3-point range.
 
She led the Stags in their MAAC Championship run, recording double-figures in all three contests and earning the MAAC Tournament MVP award.
 
For her career, Brown is one of 34 Stags to notch 1,000 career points, scoring her milestone basket in Fairfield's road win over ACC Wake Forest. She also ranks fifth all-time with 214 steals.
 
"Nellie has developed into an exceptionally efficient point guard who can create for both her teammates and herself at an elite level, while also being a disruptive force defensively," Coach Carly said. "Her year on the sidelines provided valuable perspective and allowed her to grow as a leader, and we're thrilled to have her back on the court with our team this season."
 
Coming into this year, Brown was voted to the Preseason All-MAAC First Team for the second-straight campaign.
 
Brown and the Stags were also unanimously voted the preseason favorites of the conference after winning back-to-back MAAC Championships. The Stags are also receiving votes in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll, the third-straight season they have earned national votes.