Brea averaged 2.9 points per game as a freshman at Dayton in 2020–21 in limited playing time. In 2021–22, he averaged 8.1 points and made 42.3% of his three-point shots, being named the
Atlantic 10 Conference Sixth Man of the Year. However, he learned that he suffered stress fractures in his legs following the season and opted not to have surgery, leading him to miss practice and the start of the 2022–23 season recovering. His three-point percentage dropped to 37.0% and he played through pain as the season went on, opting to get surgery following the season. He had metal rods inserted into his legs and spent several weeks in a wheelchair. He helped the team reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament and was named the Atlantic 10 Sixth Man of the Year for a second time, being one of only two to accomplish the feat. Brea transferred to the
Kentucky Wildcats for his final season of college basketball in 2024–25. He averaged 11.6 points per game and led the
Southeastern Conference in three-point shooting at 43.5 percent. ==Professional career==