A Milestone in a Growing Career
Makaiya Brooks has officially signed a professional basketball contract with Ginásio Clube Olhanense, a historic club based in Portugal. The agreement marks the fourth time a Drury women’s basketball alumna has taken her talents overseas, underscoring the university’s growing reputation as a pipeline for elite professional talent.
Brooks arrived in Europe with a reputation built on precision shooting and relentless defense. During the Eurobasket Tour she averaged 26.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals across four games, but it was her 40‑point outburst against Coimbroes that etched her name into the tournament’s record books as the highest single‑game scoring performance.
Her shooting efficiency was a key factor in that success. Brooks finished the tour with a 43.6 percent three‑point clip, the best in the conference, and closed her collegiate career at a 40.5 percent three‑point shooting rate. Those numbers earned her Third Team All‑GLVC honors and cemented her status as one of the most accurate perimeter shooters in recent Drury history.
Beyond the stats, Brooks brings a championship pedigree to her new surroundings. After graduating, she joined Evangel University’s women’s basketball staff as Director of Player Development, a role in which she helped guide the team to a 28‑3 record, a KCAC Tournament championship and a berth in the NAIA National Tournament.
The move to Portugal represents the next logical step in a trajectory that blends elite playing ability with a deep understanding of player development. As she steps onto the court for Ginásio Clube Olhanense, teammates and coaches alike anticipate that her blend of scoring prowess and strategic insight will help the club compete at the highest levels of European competition.