Playing NCAA Division I basketball was far from guaranteed for Western Illinois University’s Addi Brownfield.
“I was told when getting recruited that maybe an area of concern for me at the Division I level was playing defense,” Brownfield said. “That was feedback that I took to heart. I worked really hard to not only become a more athletic defender, but a smarter defender, knowing when to be in gaps and when to be in help. The angles to take as a defender is something I worked really hard at.”
That work was rewarded Tuesday as the league announced Brownfield as its 2025-26 OVC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, along with Morehead State senior Laura Toffali in voting done by league’s head coaches and communications directors.
“When I recruited Addi, I didn’t really know how good of a defender she would be,” said WIU coach JD Gravina. “You really didn’t get to see it a ton in high school or even AAU.”
“When she came in as a freshman it was like ‘wow, this girl can really defend,’” he added. “She has such a nose for the ball.”
“She locks down the other team’s best player and she has done that throughout her career. That’s not something that’s new,” said Gravina. “I’m really happy that the league coaches recognize that. I think it’s hard to recognize who’s a really good defender, so that says a lot about her.”
Brownfield led the OVC’s top scoring defense, as the Leathernecks allowed a league low 59.6 points per game.
“I think that award is another testament to our team defense,” said Brownfield. “With me guarding the best player on the other team, it’s crucial for the other girls out there to also key up on that player and be in help defense and help me out if I get beat on the dribble.”
The senior was fourth in the OVC with 65 steals (2.24 per game) and 12th in rebounding with 176 (6.1 pergame).
Brownfield completed the regular season averaging 12.7 points and 86 assists (4.2 per game), ranking 14th and ninth in the OVC respectively.
“It makes me really happy to see Addi getting recognition she deserves,” said WIU senior Mia Nicastro, selected as the OVC Women’s Player of the Year. “I always say she’s our glue. She does so much for us, especially defensively. I’m happy to see she’s getting the defensive recognition that she deserves.”
Perhaps the most amazing stat for the 5-foot, 8-inch guard is that Brownfield finished sixth in the OVC in blocked shots with 30.
“A 5-8 girl who can’t jump very high, I really don’t know how I do it,” said Brownfield. “But it happens. It’s one of my favorite plays in basketball.”
While Brownfield was named to the OVC First Team, Toffali was a second team selection.
Other second team selections included graduate guard Aleshia Jones of Lindenwood; senior guard Marie Sepp of Morehead State; freshman forward Lauren Miller of SIUE; freshman guard Kiyoko Proctor of SIUE; junior forward/center Chloe Gannon of Southern Indiana; freshman forward LaReesha Cawthorn of Tennessee Tech; graduate guard Reghan Grimes of Tennessee Tech and sophomore guard Chloe Larry of Tennessee Tech.
The Leathernecks enter tournament play as the top seed. They will face either No. 8 seed Southeast Missouri (13-17, 8-12 OVC) or No. 4 seed Morehead State (18-13, 13-7 OVC) in Friday’s 1 p.m. semifinal at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind.
SEMO and Morehead State played in Thursday’s second round.
