Surrounded by family, coaches, and teammates, local standout Brenna Rucker made her collegiate dreams official this week, signing to continue her basketball career with the Lions at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.
For Rucker, the decision to pursue college athletics has been a lifelong goal. “I knew I wanted to play a sport in college ever since I was little,” she said. “I watched both of my older brothers play sports in college and knew that was also a goal I had. Around 4th grade, I knew I wanted to play basketball in college. I started playing club basketball and knew this was the sport I loved the most.”
Rucker said Lindenwood stood out immediately as the right fit. “The coaching staff was amazing, and the girls on the team were super welcoming,” she explained. “The program has high expectations for their players and the culture was exactly what I was looking for. The campus is beautiful, and athletics and developing their athletes is very important to the university.”
Her passion for basketball goes well beyond the court. “I love the competitiveness of the game. I love working with my teammates and helping lead us to a common goal,” Rucker said. “My passion to get better every single day, to grow in the sport, and to help those around me excel pushes me to be the very best I can be.”
At Lindenwood, Rucker plans to major in Health and Wellness with an emphasis in Sport and Physical Activity, with hopes of one day coaching the sport she loves and helping future athletes achieve their goals.
Rucker is the daughter of Tyson and Faith Rucker. Her grandparents are Richard and Teresa Rucker of Eureka and Becky and Del Hanneman of Wichita.
