The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship in Tampa saw a familiar face grace the court before tipoff. Ayla Brown, former American Idol contestant, and NCAA basketball player delivered a stirring rendition of the national anthem on April 6, continuing her tradition of high-profile performances.
The selection wasn’t coincidental; Brown’s connections to basketball and music made her the perfect choice. With NCAA President Charlie Baker’s Massachusetts ties to Ayla’s father, former Senator Scott Brown, the stars aligned to bring this accomplished performer back to the championship stage she knows well.
Who is Ayla Brown?
Ayla Marie Brown first captured America’s attention as a contestant on Season 5 of American Idol in 2006, reaching the top 16 semifinalists at just 17 years old. Her performance of Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” became her signature, and she even joined the basketball courts where opposing fans would serenade her with the song.
Ayla Brown was on American Idol the year Carrie Underwood won it.
She later played basketball at BC. Called her WNIT game at St. John’s in 2008 for SJU student radio, and still remember the student section singing Unwritten (which she sang on the show) as she shot free throws. https://t.co/7AbAieCGXg
— Jaden Daly (@DalyDoseOfHoops) April 6, 2025
Born July 28, 1988 in Wrentham, Massachusetts. Ayla is the daughter of Scott Brown, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts from 2010-13. His election victory brought additional publicity to Ayla’s budding music career, helping her gain national recognition beyond her American Idol appearance.
Following her Idol run, Brown released her debut album “Forward” in October 2006, which reached No. 10 on the FMQB Adult Contemporary airplay chart. She later released two EPs, “Ayla Brown Live!” and “Circles,” the latter strategically timed after her father’s Senate election to capitalize on the publicity.
Brown’s vocal talents earned positive reviews from American Idol magazine, which praised her rendition of “If I Was a River,” highlighting her impressive vocal range. Billboard described her debut album as an “anthemic display of emotion” with “rafter rousing” elements.
Beyond her musical accomplishments, Brown excelled on the basketball court. Standing 6’0″ tall, she played forward for Boston College from 2006 to 2010 on a full athletic scholarship while majoring in Communications. Her long-range shooting earned her the nickname “Downtown Ayla Brown.”
Brown averaged 8.2 points per game as a freshman, ranking second on her team. By her senior year, she helped lead the Eagles to the final round of the WNIT in 2010, showcasing her athletic prowess alongside her musical talents.
Sports Illustrated recognized Brown’s multifaceted abilities, naming her “Intern of the Week” in June 2008 for balancing basketball with her music and media endeavors. This is a testament to her remarkable work ethic and diverse talents.
Brown’s national anthem performance at the 2025 championship wasn’t her first NCAA appearance. She has a history of performing for NCAA women’s basketball events, including the ACC tournament and a previous National Championship game, making her 2025 appearance a continuation of this relationship with college basketball.
She has an extensive history singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at high-profile sporting events, including performances for all Boston professional teams, such as the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, and Patriots.
Her connection to basketball continued after college as she became the Philadelphia 76ers’ in-house anthem singer, a role she complemented by serving as Senior Correspondent for sixers.com beginning in 2013. Her 2025 NCAA performance continued this tradition.
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The 36-year-old artist has built an impressive resume that bridges sports and entertainment. From performing with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra on July 4, 2010, to her work as a national news correspondent for CBS’s “The Early Show,” Brown’s career exemplifies versatility and persistent talent.
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