CLEVELAND — While the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team is led by none other than Caitlin Clark, her right-hand woman is from right here in Ohio. Gabbie Marshall, a fifth-year guard, is a Cincinnati native and will play in her second Final Four, this time in her home state.
What You Need To Know
- Gabbie Marshall is a fifth-year player for the Iowa Hawkeyes
- Marshall is a Mount Notre Dame grad and helped the Cougars win two state championships
- Marshall's dad says he hopes Gabbie enjoys every moment of her final weekend playing basketball
- Marshall says playing the Final Four in her home state is a full circle moment
Gabbie Marshall was a playmaker on both sides of the ball in the Elite Eight against LSU. But that’s always been Marshall’s game.
Marshall, a two-time state champion at Mount Notre Dame in Cincinnati, is proud of her roots.
“It’s kind of a full circle moment for me,” Marshall said during Final Four media day. “I started playing basketball in Ohio and now I’m ending my career in Ohio. My final games playing basketball are going to be in my home state. And so it’s kind of cool to think about that. It kind of gives me the chills.”
“Gabbie really grew up in Cincinnati her entire life,” said Ernest Marshall, Gabbie’s dad. “So Cincinnati’s home for her. To see the community support an athlete that’s graduated five years ago, that’s a special community.”
Her dad shares that the relationships she made at MND, including with her former head coach Doctor Scott Rogers, have been pivotal in getting Gabbie to where she is today.
“We feel very blessed that she made that decision, it was the right fit for her," Ernest said. "I talked to Doc yesterday. He texts her and went to see her at practice at Ohio State. Those relationships have continued on even post her time in high school.”
Now, Gabbie is back in the Final Four for a second straight year. But this Final Four is a little extra special for this Ohio kid.
“They put the tournament locations out much in advance and so I was talking to my wife and I was like O my God, it’s in Cleveland, go figure it’s the year after she graduates,” Ernest said. “And then COVID hits. And all of a sudden, Cleveland becomes a reality. And maybe it was meant for Gabbie Marshall, this Cincinnati, Ohio hometown kid, to come to Cleveland and finish out her career. And I just think that’s really special.”
No matter the outcome- this will be Gabbie’s final few days in a Hawkeye uniform. So what was her dad’s message before the weekend?
“You have played this game since you were three years old, three years old!" he said. "And this is, in college basketball, this is the biggest stage. So enjoy it, love it. And I always tell her to play hard!”
And while he is one proud dad- he’s also taking all these lasts in one final time.
“I’m going to miss the games," he said. "I’m going to miss watching them play. I’m just going to miss those young women. I just think they’re special. I really do.”