Biography
PRE-BHSU
McRae joins the Black Hills State program as a senior after having spent last season at Augustana. For the Vikings she appeared in all 28 games while making 13 starts, averaging 19.7 minutes, 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting the ball 35.1 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from beyond the arc. She scored in double figures nine times for Augie, including pouring in a season-best 18 points against Hastings. From beyond the arc, she was able to connect on multiple 3-pointers in eight contests and knocked down a career-best of five against cross-town rival Sioux Falls. On the glass she collected four or more rebounds nine times, she dished out two or more assists seven times, and on 11 occasions secured two or more steals. Prior to arriving in Sioux Falls she played two seasons at Utah State Eastern, helping the Eagles to a 43-16 record and an appearance in the SWAC Tournament Championship in 2023-24, their first conference title game appearance in 44 years. In her two seasons at USE, McRae played in 57 games and made ten starts, averaging 15.9 minutes, 7.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting the ball 42.2 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from 3-point range. She scored in double figures 16 times, including twice reaching the 20-point mark and was highlighted with a career-best 24-point performance against Colorado Northwestern Community College on February 16, 2023, as she went 11-of-17 from the field and added ten boards for a double-double. In total she reached double digit rebounds twice, each time recording a double-double, and notched a career-best of 11 boards against Salt Lake Community College on February 18, 2023. In just three seasons of high school basketball, she was able to reach the 1,000-point milestone, closing out her prep career as a 2-time all-state performer at Alta High School for head coach Izzy Gustafson. As a senior in 2021-22 she was named UHSAA Class 5A Second Team All-State and first team all-region, averaging 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 3.2 steals per game. The year prior she averaged 21.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.3 steals per game as a junior in 2020-21 to also be named UHSAA Class 5A Second Team All-State and first team all-region. Both seasons at AHS as a junior and senior she played in the UHSAA Class 5A All-Star Game. Brinlee is the daughter of Bryan and Shannon McRae and has two siblings, Brayden and Brooklyn.
