Indiana Women’s Basketball: Grace Berger selected No. 7 overall by Indiana Fever in WNBA Draft

Former Indiana women’s basketball standout Grace Berger made Indiana program history on Tuesday night. She became the first women’s player in IU basketball history to be selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft.

Berger was selected by the Indiana Fever at No. 7 overall.

She now becomes the fifth WNBA Draft pick for the Indiana women’s basketball program in its history.

Indiana has had two second-round draft picks and then two third-round draft picks in its history. Most recently it was Ali Patberg, who was a second-round selection in 2022.

Grace Berger played five years for the Hoosiers and averaged 12.4 points per game for her career. She started 118 of her 148 career games.

In 2022-23, Berger dealt with a knee injury that caused her to miss action early in the season. She played in 24 games and averaged 12.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. She was an First-Team All-Big Ten selection and an All-American Honorable Mention.

She finishes her career as the all-time winningest player in school history with 118 career victories and second all-time in program history in assists (573).

“She will be the most skilled player I will ever coach,” IU head coach Teri Moren said earlier this season. “As far true overall skill, I don’t know if I’ll ever have the opportunity to coach a player like Grace with that overall skillset.”

Grace Berger committed to Indiana early in Moren’s tenure and was the backbone for the program’s success over the last few seasons.

“You have to have belief, and five years ago, six years ago maybe, she believed. In this program, she believed in me, and the vision,” Moren said. “For that, I’ll always be grateful because that’s what it takes … This program isn’t what we’re looking at today without Grace Berger, in particular.”

Indiana went to back-to-back Sweet Sixteen’s in 2021 and 2022, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2021. This season, Berger helped lead Indiana to the highest ranking in program history at No. 2 overall.

The Hoosiers also secured their first Big Ten Regular Season title in 40 years. It led to Indiana becoming a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament, the first time in program history.

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