RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team has signed 5-foot-11 guard Brooke Nichelson for the 2026-27 season, head coach Greg Todd announced Tuesday.
 
A native of London, Kentucky, Nichelson joins the Colonels after spending last season at Murray State University, where she took a redshirt as a freshman. She becomes EKU's eighth newcomer ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
 
"We are excited to welcome Brooke back home to EKU women's basketball," said Todd. "Brooke was an outstanding player at North Laurel High School. She brings toughness, skill, experience and a tremendous understanding of winning basketball. Brooke can impact the game in a variety of ways, and we believe her work ethic and competitive spirit will make her a great fit in Richmond. Our fans will enjoy the energy and passion she brings as we continue building a championship program."
 
Before beginning her collegiate career, Nichelson starred at North Laurel High School where she totaled 2,495 career points, 1,033 rebounds and 248 made 3-pointers.
 
As a senior in 2024-25, Nichelson helped guide North Laurel to a 31-3 overall record and a third consecutive trip to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Sweet 16. She averaged 23.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while shooting 57 percent (313-for-550) from the field.
 
Nichelson scored in double figures in 34 of 35 games during her senior campaign. She posted eight 30-point performances and recorded 15 double-doubles. Her season-high 37 points came against Madison Central on Feb. 4, 2025.
 
During the state tournament, Nichelson recorded back-to-back double-doubles with 28 points and 10 rebounds against Ashland Blazer in the Sweet 16 before totaling 22 points and 11 rebounds against George Rogers Clark in the Elite Eight.
 
Following her senior season, Nichelson earned KHSAA All-State and All-Region honors, was named the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches (KABC) 13th Region Player of the Year and was selected to participate in the Kentucky vs. Ohio All-Star Game. She also finished as a finalist for 2025 Miss Kentucky Basketball and was ranked the No. 6 prospect in Kentucky's 2025 class.
 
Nichelson began playing varsity as a seventh grader and helped North Laurel compile a 167-32 overall record during her career. The program never lost more than seven games in a season during her time with the Jaguars.
 
As a junior, she scored a career-high 42 points knocking down nine 3-pointers against Martin County on Dec. 7, 2023, in the WYMT Mountain Basketball Classic, setting the event's all-time single-game scoring record.
 
EKU captured the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference regular-season championship, the 11th conference championship in school history, and has posted three consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time as a program. Todd was named 2026 ASUN Coach of the Year and four Colonels earned all-conference honors, including two first team selections.
 
Nichelson is scheduled to continue summer workouts in Richmond until players report in June for team practice.