SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Former Lady Panther standout Makaiya Brooks is set to take her game overseas, earning a spot in a professional showcase in Portugal from May 19-28, where she will compete in front of international scouts and top-tier European programs.
 
The showcase will feature four games against teams from Portugal's top leagues. The roster is composed of former collegiate players who have exhausted their eligibility and are pursuing professional contracts overseas. The team will be coached by Evangel University head coach Madi Wallace.
 
Brooks, a two-year Lady Panther, concluded her collegiate career following the 2024-25 season. During her time at Drury, she averaged 8.9 points per game and shot 40.5% from three-point range, the seventh best career three-point percentage in program history. She was also a Third Team All-GLVC selection in her senior season.
 
In 2024-25, Brooks led the GLVC in three-point percentage at 43.6%, well ahead of the next closest player at 35.3%, and ranked seventh nationally in NCAA Division II. She started 16 of 29 games, averaging 11.6 points and 2.5 rebounds.
 
Before arriving at Drury, Brooks spent her first two collegiate seasons at NCAA Division I Memphis, where she averaged 2.1 points per game and shot 30.6% from three. As a sophomore, she scored a Memphis-career-high 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting from three against Howard as the Tigers advanced to the WNIT Super 16. As a freshman, she earned AAC Freshman of the Week honors after going 4-for-4 from three against Nicholls State for 12 points in 15 minutes.
 
Prior to her collegiate career, Brooks was one of the most prolific scorers in Springfield Public Schools history. A graduate of Central High School, she set the Springfield city scoring record with 2,359 career points. She was a two-time Class 6 All-State selection, a three-time All-Ozark Conference honoree, and a McDonald's All-American nominee as a senior while leading Central to its first district title in 34 years. She averaged 22.4 points per game in high school, including two made threes per contest.
 
Brooks graduated from Drury in 2025 with a degree in biology before joining the coaching staff at Evangel University as the Director of Player Development. She helped lead the Valor to a 28–3 record, a KCAC Tournament Championship, and an NAIA national tournament appearance. Five Evangel players earned All-KCAC honors during her season on staff, including Heaven Shockley, the league's Newcomer of the Year and an NAIA Third Team All-American.
 
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