Most Iconic Indiana Girls Basketball Legends!

Most Iconic Indiana Girls Basketball Legends!

Indiana has long been synonymous with basketball greatness, and its legacy extends far beyond the boys’ game.

The Hoosier State has produced some of the most iconic girls’ basketball players in history, athletes who have not only dominated on the court but also inspired generations of young players to dream big.

What makes Indiana’s basketball legends so special is their deep connection to the sport’s grassroots.

From small-town gyms to packed high school arenas, these players honed their skills in the heart of basketball country.

Their journeys often began with record-breaking high school careers, where they shattered scoring records, led their teams to state championships, and earned accolades like Indiana Miss Basketball.

Many of these legends carried their talents to the collegiate level, where they became All-Americans, national champions, and leaders of powerhouse programs.

Love IHSAA? Get more! Join the 93.5 / 107.5 The Fan Newsletter

Subscribe

We care about your data. See our privacy policy.

Their success didn’t stop there—Indiana’s finest have gone on to shine in the WNBA, on international stages, and even in the Olympics, proving that the state’s basketball roots run deep.

Beyond their stats and trophies, these players have left an indelible mark on the game.

They’ve become role models, advocates for women’s sports, and ambassadors for the game they love.

Indiana’s girls’ basketball legends are more than just athletes—they are symbols of perseverance, passion, and the unbreakable bond between the Hoosier State and the game of basketball.

Take a look below at some of the Most Iconic Indiana Girls Basketball Legends!

The IHSAA, IndianaFever, IHSAAtv and 93.5 & 107.5 The Fan got together to showcase some of the most iconic girl ballers in Indiana high school girls basketball history!

Skylar Diggins, South Bend Washington HS

• 2009 Indiana Miss Basketball
• Led South Bend Washington to four consecutive state championship game appearances winning the 2007 IHSAA Class 4A State Championship
• Finished her career with 2,790 points, third-most in Indiana girls basketball history
• Naismith Prep Player of the Year, Gatorade National Player of the Year, Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year in 2009
• Led Notre Dame to three consecutive Final Fours and two consecutive NCAA championship appearances
• Two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award as the top point guard in the nation
• Drafted third overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2013 WNBA Draft
• Six-time WNBA All-Star and currently playing for the Phoenix Mercury

Jackie Young, Princeton Community HS

• 2016 Indiana Miss Basketball
• Led Princton to 2015 IHSAA Class 3A State Championship
• Set Indiana Girls Basketball Scoring Record with 3,268 points in 2016 averaging 30.8 ppg for her career
• Played three seasons for Notre Dame leading the Irish to the 2018 NCAA Title
• No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2019 WNBA Draft
• Won Olympic Gold Medal in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games
• Led the Las Vegas Aces to the 2022 WNBA Championship in her fourth season

Katie Gearlds, Beech Grove HS

• 2003 Indiana Miss Basketball
• Led Beech Grove High School to the 2003 IHSAA Class 3A State Championship scoring 2,521 career points, fourth-most in Indiana girls history
• Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2004
• Led Purdue to the 2007 Big Ten Tournament Championship where she was named Most Oustanding Player
• She also won both the women’s and overall State Farm College Three Point Championships on March 29, 2007,^[3] defeating male competitor and future NBA starter Aaron Brooks 17 to 16.
• Selected seventh overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2007 WNBA Draft
• Coached Marian University to back-to-back NAIA Division 2 National Championships in 2016 and 2017
• Currently second-year head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers

Shyra Ely, Ben Davis HS

• 2001 Indiana Miss Basketball
• Led Ben Davis High School to the back-to-back IHSAA Class 4A State Championships in 2000 and 2001
• Named a WBCA All-American coming out of high school
• Played four years for the Tennessee Lady Vols under legendary coach Pat Summitt
• Averaged 12.0 ppg for her career leading Tennessee to four consecutive Final Fours
• Drafted 14^th overall by the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2005 WNBA Draft
• She spent six seasons in the league, playing for San Antonio, Seattle, Chicago and Indiana.

 Judi Warren, Warsaw HS

• First Indiana Miss Basketball in 1976
• Member of the first IHSAA Girls Basketball State Championship Team in 1976
• First recipient of the Girls Basketball Mental Attitude Award
• Coached Carmel HS to 1995 State Runner-Up finish
• Inducted into Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002