Arizona transfer Bryce Nixon signs with Santa Clara

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The former four-star recruit spent two seasons with the Wildcats

Former Arizona guard Bryce Nixon is transferring to Santa Clara, the Broncos announced Wednesday.

Nixon announced her intention to transfer in March.

The sophomore spent two years in Tucson where she averaged 1.5 points per game in 49 appearances. The Phoenix native appeared in 33 games as a freshman, averaging 8.5 minutes per game, but only appeared in 16 games as a sophomore, mustering 5.8 minutes per appearance.

Welcome Bryce Nixon to the #SCUBroncos! The Arizona transfer is from Phoenix where she had a standout high school career. #StampedeTogetherhttps://t.co/vlOJdiCHGh pic.twitter.com/tDEMeGbnpX

— Santa Clara Women's Basketball (@Santaclarawbb) April 15, 2020

Arizona coach Adia Barnes thought Nixon made the right decision to transfer.

“It was gonna be really hard for Bryce to play minutes here because there’s so many talented players in front of her,” she said. “So I think Bryce going down to a level where she can be an impact is the best thing for her.

“Our program has changed so much. When we first got here, we were bottom of the Pac-12. Now we’re on top of the Pac-12 and we’re a top-10 team next year so there’s a lot more talented players. Aari (McDonald) is an All-American, Shaina (Pellington)’s an all-conference player, so I think it’s difficult when you’re young, you’re playing behind great upperclassmen and you have to face them.”

As of now, Nixon will have to sit out a season before having two years of eligibility with the Broncos. Santa Clara went 12-19 in 2019-20, including a 5-13 mark in the West Coast Conference. They faced Arizona in Tucson on Nov. 8, falling 65-52 to the Wildcats.

Before enrolling at the UA, Nixon was a standout at Arcadia High School in Phoenix. A four-star recruit, she was named All-City three times, All-State Division II twice, and Offensive Player of the Year and All-Arizona as a senior.

Nixon became just one of three Arizona high schoolers since 1973 to score over 2,000 points and add over 500 assists.

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