Gonzaga’s Maxwell, a Gig Harbor grad, is one of nation’s best 3-point shooters
Brynna Maxwell hasn’t just been one of the best shooters in the West Coast Conference this season — the Gonzaga senior guard has been one of the best shooters in the country.
Maxwell, a Gig Harbor High School grad and The News Tribune’s 2019 All-Area player of the year, transferred from Utah to Gonzaga following her junior season with the Utes in the Pac-12. In Spokane, she has enjoyed her best statistical season yet. She’s No. 2 in the country in 3-point shooting percentage, making 49.4 percent of her shots from beyond the arc.
Gonzaga, a No. 9 seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, will face No. 8 Ole Miss on Friday in the opening round. In a phone interview with The News Tribune on Monday afternoon, Maxwell said she doesn’t keep track of her stats, even in the midst of an incredible shooting year.
“I don’t know what my stats are,” Maxwell said. “I don’t really want to know.”
While she may not want to know, the stats paint a picture of a player who is thriving. Maxwell said transferring into the Bulldogs’ program has been beneficial to her career.
“This is a great system,” she said. “It was a learning curve but once you get past that, it’s perfect for the way I play. It’s a system, the ball moves really well. I’m not just standing in the corner, I’m moving a ton in the offense, doing more than just catch and shoot.”
Maxwell felt a change of scenery was needed after her junior season at Utah, where she was part of a group that reached the NCAA Tournament. She had an existing relationship with Gonzaga’s coaching staff; Bulldogs’ coach Lisa Fortier recruited Maxwell when she was one of the best high school players in Washington and Maxwell had strongly considered Gonzaga at the time.
“They were great,” Maxwell said.
The day Maxwell put her name in the transfer portal, Gonzaga reached out. She’s the team’s third-leading scorer this season, averaging 13.8 points per game. She’s always been a high-level shooter but has taken it to the next level this season. Maxwell said she worked with Zags’ assistant Jordan Green during the offseason and encountered an attention to detail that she hadn’t experienced from a coaching staff before.
“Small tweaks, just a couple things to think about, that kind of took my shot to the next level,” she said. “Not just having to create my shot every single time down. It’s been a huge blessing.”
They worked on stepping into shots and not staying flat-footed, holding her follow through — small details that have paid dividends.
“He really studied my shot,” Maxwell said. “He’s just really good at changing things really subtly and seeing tiny improvements.”
Maxwell’s parents have been able to watch more games in person, too. They’ve traveled east for most of her home games at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
“It’s such a blessing,” she said. “My mom’s whole side of the family lives in Spokane. … My parents drive or fly over for every game. … Growing up, you see your parents in the stands. Knowing they’re there means the world. It’s just so cool. There’s a lot of players who don’t get that opportunity.”
Gonzaga (28-4) will hope to bounce back in the NCAA Tournament after losing to Portland in the WCC tournament championship game, 64-60 March 7.
“It’s really exciting,” Maxwell said. “It’s the second time I’ve ever been in an NCAA Tournament. Our whole team has a lot of experience in the tournament. During the Selection Show, they’re like, ‘Brynna, you’ve gotta calm down.’
“We’re starting to learn a little more about (Ole Miss). Both of us don’t really know each other that well. It’s a pretty even matchup. They’re physical, rebound super hard, apply a ton of pressure on defense.”
The game will tip off on Friday at 7 p.m. PDT and will be televised on ESPNU.
