Brianna McLeod to Lead JMU Basketball This Season
The 6-foot-3 forward returns for her second year with the Dukes ahead of the November 2 season opener.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Basketball
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Brianna McLeod begins her second season with the James Madison University basketball team this year. The team is scheduled to play its season opener at Miami (Ohio) on November 2.
Why it matters
McLeod serves as a team leader at the Harrisonburg institution, where she mentors new arrivals and builds team chemistry off the court. Her contributions remain vital as the program looks to build on its previous success following a Sun Belt Tournament championship.
McLeod averaged 4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game last season while playing just under 17 minutes per game. These figures compare to Grace McDonough, who started all 35 games for JMU while averaging 18 minutes of play per game.
The players
Brianna McLeod
She is a 6-foot-3 basketball forward from Brampton, Ontario who previously played for Colorado and SMU.
Grace McDonough
She is a player for the James Madison University basketball team who started every game during the 2025-2026 season.
The details
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, the Brampton, Ontario native previously competed for the University of Colorado and SMU before joining the Dukes. Beyond her defensive impact, McLeod supports her teammates by preparing meals and desserts during the season.
Timeline
McLeod played her first season for JMU during 2025-2026.
JMU plays its season opener at Miami (Ohio) on November 2, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The program enters the new year looking to build upon the foundation set by the 2025-2026 Sun Belt Tournament championship. Maintaining this winning trajectory will require integrating returning leaders like McLeod with new roster additions to remain competitive in the conference.
McLeod's ability to maintain her 1.6 blocks per game average will be critical for the Dukes' defensive rotations in the upcoming season. Her presence on the floor provides a consistent interior defensive option compared to the heavy reliance on previous starters like Grace McDonough.
The takeaway
Effective team leadership and mentorship from veteran players like McLeod often prove as essential to a program as raw statistics. Fans should monitor how these off-court contributions translate to team cohesion during the high-pressure environment of the upcoming season.
What happens next
James Madison University will officially begin its basketball season on November 2, 2026, with an away game at Miami (Ohio).
Further reading
For more updates on the Dukes, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The News Virginian.
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