He left New Zealand to play for the University of Nebraska Kearney in the middle of last year.
An eligibility issue followed, leaving him unable to play last season.
But the Oamaru guard stayed on at the college as a training player and remained there over the off-season, rather than coming home.
In that time much has happened in the United States.
He has seen riots, protests, the controversial presidential election and the rampant spread of Covid-19 — which he suffered a few months ago.
The athletes are tested for the virus weekly, while having to do daily self-checks.
It would have been enough for most to leave.
So it was extra-satisfying for the 21-year-old when he finally made his debut for the NCAA division two school last month.
He has since played seven games, including one in which he scored 16 points, and is averaging 5.3 points and five rebounds per game.
"I could not wait to get out there and start playing again," he said.
"It’s definitely a lot different to being in a practice.
"I found that out the first couple of games, the intensity and my lungs, I was feeling it.
"It’s just a whole different level compared to being in practice, I’m enjoying it now, though."
Brien grew up in Oamaru and attended St Kevin’s College, before doing an extra year of school at St Patrick’s College in Wellington.
While there he was also a development player with the Wellington Saints.
He then attended OnPoint Academy, a prep school in Oklahoma for a year, before returning and playing for the Andy Bay Falcons in Dunedin last year.
Brien said he felt he needed those two years of school to get to where he was now.
And he had been told right through they would not impact his college eligibility.
That made it tough when the NCAA ruled him ineligible the day before last year’s first preseason.
He lost two years of eligibility, while also having to miss last season.
Covid-19 has allowed him to get a year back.
The NCAA is not counting this season towards eligibility due to the impact the pandemic is having.
That will allow him to still play three years, while giving him the four years needed to get his physical education degree.
Games were being played in close to empty arenas — each player got four passes — and about the country matches were being cancelled as Covid-19 hit different teams.
However, 14 of the 15 players on Brien’s team have had the virus, which should limit its impact throughout the season.
Brien was spending Christmas in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a friend’s family.
He hopes to return to New Zealand during the American off-season next year.
