Audrey Biggs commits to Pitt despite family ties to WVU
ASHLAND, Ky. (BVM) – As the younger sister of West Virginia University football player Bryce Biggs and with hopes of becoming a future sideline reporter for the NFL, Boyd County High School girls basketball star Audrey Biggs understands how important the “Backyard Brawl” rivalry between the Mountaineers and Pittsburgh Panthers is.
“To a lot of people that’s a big thing,” Biggs said. “That’s a big deal.”
That’s why it came as a shock for many when Biggs spurned her brother and committed to the Panthers women’s basketball program late last month.
Home💙💛@Pitt_WBB #Committed pic.twitter.com/435SnkHA4V
— Audrey Biggs (@BiggsAudrey) June 27, 2023
While the two may be at rival institutions, family still comes first for the Biggs.
“A lot of people were like, ‘Audrey are you serious?’” Biggs said. “For my brother and I, it wasn’t part of it. We were just really happy for each other and he was happy for me. We’re really excited to be really close to each other because at what other Power 5 school would we be able to go watch each other’s collegiate careers? I think he’ll help me get through the first two years of college just having him there. We joke about the rivalry here and there but it was never a big thing for us.”
I’m so proud of all the hard work you’ve put in to overcome adversity these last few years. You are bound to do something special sis❤️ https://t.co/T8XXbAcdmu
— Bryce Biggs (@biggs_bryce) June 27, 2023
Coming from an athletic family which includes a Division I athlete as a sibling, it may seem that Biggs would have no problems making a name for herself, but she has faced some obstacles getting to her commitment. After a stellar few years for the Lady Lions, including a 2021-22 sophomore campaign where she averaged a team-high 17.5 points and seven rebounds, Biggs faced her first true adversity as she tore her ACL during her summer league season.
“It was devastating to me and my family,” Biggs said. “Basketball is a lot of who I am and what I do and this is what I love and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to do that for a while and I didn’t know what the future looked like after that. I thought, ‘This is it.’”
However, after taking some time to grieve her injury, Biggs decided to pick herself up by her bootstraps and get back to work. While some athletes would rather rest and recover post-surgery, especially after one as serious as an ACL reconstruction, Biggs hit the ground running and dedicated herself to getting back on the court.
“A couple days after I remember talking to my dad and I was like, ‘OK I’m done feeling sorry for myself,’ and from that day forward I’ve worked my butt off to get back,” Biggs said.
AB23 counting down the days till I’m back!! And as the original 23 said, “there isn’t anything anyone could do to stop me!” pic.twitter.com/5dR18omAai
— Audrey Biggs (@BiggsAudrey) July 13, 2022
After six months of dedicated rehab and therapy, Biggs returned to the court for the Lady Lions’ game against Ryle on Jan. 27. The 6-foot guard scored 11 points and grabbed three rebounds during the contest.
“When I stepped back on the floor that Friday night, it was a great feeling and I knew it was all well worth it,” Biggs said. “I know it happened for a reason because I feel like the best version of myself mentally and physically because I got to take time away from sports and just focus on me.”
It was a special moment watching @BiggsAudrey check into the game last night for the first time this season (6 months post fertilized ACL). Check out the highlights below! More to come from her and @BoydCoHoops this season! @hjasonh21 @ChadLavenderMD @WVThunderUAA @Mytowntvhd pic.twitter.com/KqhZun6b8h
— Brian Biggs (@bbiggs_88) January 28, 2023
Unsurprisingly, Biggs’ performance dipped slightly as she worked her way back. She finished the year averaging 12 points and 4.9 rebounds over 13 games as Boyd County fell in the Region 16 championship game.
“It was hard at first,” Biggs said. “The team was excited I was back, it was just the part of gelling together and getting me back into the rotation and the swing of things. I think my coach, Coach [Pete] Fraley, did a really good job of easing me back into the game but I made sure to tell him to not hold me back, I’m 100% released, I am OK and I’m ready for this moment. I’m just grateful to be back on the floor again.”
Keep the dreams alive!!! pic.twitter.com/DqxkbGA2Zv
— Audrey Biggs (@BiggsAudrey) July 8, 2023
Despite her regression, Biggs was still among the best players in the entire Commonwealth. Her performance even earned her a roster spot in the Kentucky-Indiana All-Stars girls basketball game.
“That was really an honor, I’m so grateful I was a part of that,” Biggs said. “I didn’t realize how important that was to the basketball community in basketball and Indiana. It was a huge crowd and at that moment I realized this means a lot to people and it meant a lot to me to play in front of them and represent Kentucky. We had fun with it and I hope to do it again next year.”
Honored to be able to represent this great state of Kentucky💙@KYAllStarGame pic.twitter.com/uLjSv9E02w
— Audrey Biggs (@BiggsAudrey) June 5, 2023
Throughout it all, the Pitt program was still keeping tabs on Biggs. While other teams’ interest had cooled following her injury, the Panthers stayed invested in the guard, something Biggs didn’t soon forget.
“I was getting recruited by a lot of teams in the country and, after I got injured, a bunch of them were hesitant to offer me and stay by my side throughout that journey because they know an ACL is hard coming back from,” Biggs said. “But I knew Pitt assistant coach, Coach [Candice] Finley, when she was at Xavier and she offered me there before going to Pitt and she stayed by my side and always believed in me from day one.
“She told the rest of the coaching staff and head coach [Tory] Verdi really bought into what she had to say and I called him a couple weeks back and he offered me on the spot. Then I went on my official visit and I knew right then and there it was where I wanted to be.”
Now, Biggs will prepare for one final season at Boyd. After missing out on the Kentucky Sweet Sixteen state basketball tournament last year, Biggs wants to finish off her prep career with one last ride to Rupp Arena.
“Last year it was rocky for us and I think we needed that for this year,” Biggs said. “We actually just got out of practice this morning and talked about how hungry we are to get back and win another region title and get back to state. We do have a great team and we do have all the opportunities in the world to do it, we just have to do it and I know that we will put the work in.”
Of course, football season comes first and as a new Pitt commit and a brother of a Mountaineer, the question becomes: who will she cheer for in the “Backyard Brawl?”
“I was thinking about repping my brother’s jersey maybe because he’s out there,” Biggs said. “But I’m sure the Pitt women’s basketball team will be there and they know my brother plays and they give me a hard time for it. But I just support him because he would do the same thing for me.”
