By Jon Perez
It’s time to Boogie in Hempstead.
Lauren ‘Boogie’ Brozoski, a former McDonald’s All-American nominee at Long Island Lutheran High School and Cambria Heights native, has transferred from Michigan to Hofstra, the university announced Jan. 23.
Brozoski will sit out the remainder of this season, but will be eligible to play in her junior season after the completion of the 2017 fall semester.
The former LuHi averaged 5.6 points per game in just 14.1 minutes per contest in nine games with the Wolverines this past fall, but said that playing time wasn’t the reason for her departure from Ann Arbor.
“I just wasn’t happy there,” Brozoski said. “There were things being said that were being done within the program that I didn’t agree with and I wasn’t satisfied with, so I spoke about it with my parents, got advice from other people and I came to the conclusion that I’d transfer out of Michigan.”
Brozoski decided to transfer from Michigan towards the end of November and was granted her release Dec. 13.
The sophomore has been on Hofstra coach Krista Kilburn-Stevesky’s radar since she was in the eighth grade after hearing stories about her game from LuHi coach Rich Slater. Brozoski dazzled at a showcase in Washington, D.C. and Kilburn-Stevesky began to lay the groundwork. The Pride coach attended high school and AAU games with regularity, building a relationship with Brozoski’s parents and even conducted a home visit.
Brozoski chose Michigan over James Madison and Hofstra out of high school.
“I had a really good point guard named Candace Bellocchio from Staten Island,” Kilburn-Stevesky said. “I thought Boogie was Candace and more, so obviously we spent a lot of time and energy with her family and we left on very good terms. I’ve been doing this too long. Kids have a decision of where they’re going to go and we were happy for her and for us and her family.”
When things went sour in Michigan, Slater helped bridge the gap between Brozoski and Kilburn-Stevesky after his former player’s release was granted. Kilburn-Stevesky’s relationship with Brozoski was still strong and, this time, recruiting wasn’t quite as difficult.
“We were very close, I had a good relationship with her,” Brozoski said. “With Hofstra being so close to home, I always kept it in my head that I could play in my home state and represent Long Island. That’s what it came down to when deciding on what school to transfer to, I knew she would open up her door and be willing to give me a shot.”
In addition to being a McDonald’s All-American nominee, Brozoski was a three-time Long Island Player of the Year and two-time New York State Player of the year. She says she’s embracing the challenge of being a role model to local players throughout the boroughs and Long Island to show that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
“I’m coming in and looking to do things that have never been done before, especially being from New York,” Brozoski said. “There’s always that chip on your shoulder, this is my town, this is my state. I’ve got to represent. I’m definitely looking to come in, get better and help the players around me get better to be successful.”
