The Burning Question : Is North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC) Truly the Right Long-Term Fit for Nyla Brooks?
The Burning Question : Is North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC) Truly the Right Long-Term Fit for Nyla Brooks?
By Gary Bell
Major Movez Basketball Review #MMBR
Follow me @MMBR_CoachGBell
January 24, 2026
In the fast-paced world of women's college basketball, where talent meets opportunity, one freshman's journey at UNC is raising eyebrows. Nyla Brooks arrived in Chapel Hill as the No. 13 player in the country, a McDonald’s All-American, and one of the most highly touted guards UNC has landed in years. One season in, she has yet to start a game and continues to see limited minutes off the bench. Her stats reflect role more than talent. Through 21 games in the 2025-26 season, Brooks is averaging 8.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, shooting 37.7% from the field and an impressive 37.4% from three-point range—all while logging just 18.5 minutes per contest.
But for a player once viewed as a potential cornerstone, the gap between reputation and opportunity is becoming harder to ignore.Development isn’t just patience—it’s trust. Minutes matter. Rhythm matters. Usage matters. Brooks has shown efficiency, composure, and two-way ability in flashes, but short shifts and low usage make confidence and consistency difficult for any young guard to build. As a 6-1 wing with elite shooting and defensive potential, her flashes include efficient perimeter play, but the bench role limits her to complementary contributions rather than starring ones.
Nationally, the contrast is striking. Other McDonald’s All-American freshman guards are being given real run—starting, playing through mistakes, and growing in real time. Programs like Vanderbilt, Texas, and Tennessee are investing fully in elite young guards. For instance, Aubrey Galvan at Vanderbilt is thriving with 11.5 PPG and leading all freshmen in assists (6.3 APG), starting on an undefeated team. Mia Pauldo at Tennessee averages 15.5 PPG in SEC play, earning weekly honors. Even in the men's side for context, top freshmen like Darryn Peterson (Kansas) are dropping 22.5 PPG early on.
These peers are getting the keys to the offense, while Brooks watches from the sideline. In today’s college basketball landscape, opportunity impacts development, confidence, and even NIL value. It’s fair to ask whether UNC is maximizing one of its most valuable young assets—or whether a conservative approach is quietly limiting both Brooks’ growth and the program’s long-term return. With UNC at 13-6 and ranked outside the Top 25, the Tar Heels have talent, but is the rotation strategy stunting a star in the making? As we hit the heart of conference play, Brooks' situation is one to watch. Will UNC unlock her potential, or is a bigger role elsewhere on the horizon? Time will tell, but the question burns bright.
#gogirls #NylaBrooks #UNCWBB #MMBR #WBB
