University of Memphis Athletics
Former Women’s Basketball Standouts Sign Professional Contracts
Aug 21, 2017 | Women's Basketball
Ariel Hearn and Brianna Wright have both signed contracts to play basketball in Germany
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Former University of Memphis women's basketball players Ariel Hearn and Brianna Wright have signed to play basketball overseas as announced by Eintracht Braunschweig Basketball Club.
Hearn was a four-year member of head coach Melissa McFerrin's program from 2012-16 while Wright competed her junior and senior seasons with the Tigers after transferring from Chipola Junior College in 2014.
"I'm extremely proud and excited for Ariel and Brianna to have the opportunity to chase their dreams of playing professional basketball," said McFerrin. "Both of them had very successful careers at Memphis and we look forward to seeing them lead their new team with the same passion they devoted to Memphis."
A three-time All-American Athletic Conference selection, Hearn finished her career with 1,945 points, ranking her eighth all-time in program history. She finished with a program-leading 218 made three-pointers and against Minnesota in 2014, she made a career-high seven three-pointers.
She competed in 125 games for McFerrin and the Tigers with starts in 116 contests. In addition to her scoring, she ended her career with 538 rebounds, 441 assists (fourth all-time) and 234 steals (seventh all-time).
Hearn helped lead Memphis through the transition from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference. In addition to her three all-conference selections in the AAC, Hearn was named to the 2012-13 Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
In her two-year career with Memphis, Wright started in 59 contests and averaged 8.4 points per game. As a junior, she led the Tigers with a career-high 8.2 rebounds per game and followed that up with 6.5 boards per game as a senior.
In addition to her rebounding, Wright was a scoring threat for Memphis. As a senior, she finished third on the team with a career-high 9.8 points per game. She also led the team both seasons in blocks, finishing her two-year career with 44.
Wright was a two-time member of the Tiger 3.0 Club and was named to the 2014-15 American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
These are the first professional contracts Hearn and Wright have signed since graduating from Memphis in 2016. The season in Germany will begin in early October and will run through the middle of March. Eintracht Braunschweig Basketball Club is a member of the 2nd Damen Basketball Bundesliga which is the second-highest women's league overseas.
Hearn was a four-year member of head coach Melissa McFerrin's program from 2012-16 while Wright competed her junior and senior seasons with the Tigers after transferring from Chipola Junior College in 2014.
"I'm extremely proud and excited for Ariel and Brianna to have the opportunity to chase their dreams of playing professional basketball," said McFerrin. "Both of them had very successful careers at Memphis and we look forward to seeing them lead their new team with the same passion they devoted to Memphis."
A three-time All-American Athletic Conference selection, Hearn finished her career with 1,945 points, ranking her eighth all-time in program history. She finished with a program-leading 218 made three-pointers and against Minnesota in 2014, she made a career-high seven three-pointers.
She competed in 125 games for McFerrin and the Tigers with starts in 116 contests. In addition to her scoring, she ended her career with 538 rebounds, 441 assists (fourth all-time) and 234 steals (seventh all-time).
Hearn helped lead Memphis through the transition from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference. In addition to her three all-conference selections in the AAC, Hearn was named to the 2012-13 Conference USA All-Freshman Team.
In her two-year career with Memphis, Wright started in 59 contests and averaged 8.4 points per game. As a junior, she led the Tigers with a career-high 8.2 rebounds per game and followed that up with 6.5 boards per game as a senior.
In addition to her rebounding, Wright was a scoring threat for Memphis. As a senior, she finished third on the team with a career-high 9.8 points per game. She also led the team both seasons in blocks, finishing her two-year career with 44.
Wright was a two-time member of the Tiger 3.0 Club and was named to the 2014-15 American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.
These are the first professional contracts Hearn and Wright have signed since graduating from Memphis in 2016. The season in Germany will begin in early October and will run through the middle of March. Eintracht Braunschweig Basketball Club is a member of the 2nd Damen Basketball Bundesliga which is the second-highest women's league overseas.
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