Duluth Marshall’s Gianna Kneepkens Talks Commitment to Utah

Kneepkens wrapped up her junior year averaging over 31 points per game and is already the all-time leading scorer for the Hilltoppers.

DULUTH, Minn. – This past weekend, Duluth Marshall’s Gianna Kneepkens sorted through 17 Division I college basketball offers and decided to take her talents next year to the University of Utah.

Kneepkens wrapped up her junior year averaging over 31 points per game and is already the all-time leading scorer for the Hilltoppers. Kneepkens says the major selling point was the Utes’ coaching staff.

“They did all they could learn about me and my family, and me as a person, as a player from the very beginning. They pursued me and they passionately did it and they showed how they supported me academically, athletically, socially and spiritually which is super important to me,” said Kneepkens.

In her tweet on Sunday, Kneepkens thanked her entire support system, which included shout-outs to her teammate Grace Kirk, as well as her trainer and mentor Dyami Starks.

“This is 100% Gianna Kneepkens you’re seeing. There’s no trainer or coach that was more instrumental in getting her to where she’s at right now. This is all her and all the help she’s received along the way. I’m lucky to be a part of this, not the other way around,” Starks said.

“A lot of these young girls look up to Grace and Gianna and they want to be just like them. They’re prime examples that you don’t have to settle because you’re in the Northland. They’re prime examples that you can’t compete with other girls throughout the whole country,” Hilltoppers head coach CJ Osuchukwu said.

“I want to inspire young girls that if they have a goal to play college basketball, it might not always be easy but you got to reach for it and if you want it, go get it,” said Kneepkens.