Western Kentucky University's still a few days from the start to women's basketball practice, but the program already has a bit of surprising news to start the season.

Forward Arnika Brown's been reclassified as a senior on the court, despite only having played two seasons of college basketball so far.

According to WKU head coach Mary Taylor Cowles, the reclassification stems from Brown originally signing a national letter-of-intent to play at the University of Kentucky. She spent only a few days on the Lexington campus before leaving for St. Catharine College near Bardstown.

But she never played there either, instead moving back to her hometown of Hopkinsville before beginning to attend WKU in January 2007. After sitting out the rest of that year on the court and the first semester of the 2007-08 season, Brown first suited up in December 2007.

Cowles now says 2009-10 is scheduled to be Brown's last in a WKU uniform.

"At this point there's not any year being given back to her," Cowles said Wednesday. "So if we were to possibly be able to get that back, obviously that would be wonderful. It'd be a great situation for her and it'd be a great situation for us.

"But as we currently stand, this is her last year of eligibility."

Brown earned Sun Belt freshman-of-the-year honors in her first season, averaging 10.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in 24 games. She improved those averages in her second season, posting 14.4 points to go along with 11.6 rebounds per game.

WKU's men's and women's basketball programs officially begin the 2009-10 season with Friday night's Hilltopper Hysteria, scheduled for 9 p.m. at E. A. Diddle Arena. Both programs are scheduled to begin practicing Saturday.