Indiana Women's Basketball 2024 Recruit Faith Wiseman Interview: How to be a Hoosier
TRAFALGAR, Ind. —Indian Creek High School is tucked away in the small town of Trafalgar, Ind., the home of about 5,000 residents. Not so tucked away is the talented 6-foot-4 rising senior forward Faith Wiseman, who committed to Indiana last October.
“It’s always been like a dream since I was little to play there,” Wiseman said. “We would go with my family to the games.”
Wiseman's high school is only a 45-minute drive from Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, so both Wiseman and the Hoosiers have been on each other's radar for some time now.
Indian Creek's Faith Wiseman (21) reaches for the ball against Greenwood Woodmen Olivia Ford (44) on Thursday, Nov 17, 2022 at Edinburgh High School in Edinburgh. Indian Creek defeated the Greenwood Woodmen, 38-19.
© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
In her junior season with the Braves, Wiseman averaged 16.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Her consistent game led Indian Creek to a Class 3A semi-state championship appearance in which the Braves fell to Corydon Central 48-42 to finish the season 27-2.
“It was definitely disappointing, and in the moment we just felt the loss, and it was really sad, but then after our community and coaches just reminded us [about] the great season we did have,” Wiseman said. “It’s definitely motivation to improve.”
Still, Wiseman walked away from that season with plenty of honors. At 17 years old, she's raked in IBCA Underclass All-State Supreme 15 Team, All Western Indiana Conference, ICGSA 1st Team All-State, a spot on the Jr. All-Stars Core Team, Johnson County Co-Player of the Year and All-USA Central Indiana Super Team 2nd Team.
Indian Creek's Faith Wiseman (21) poses for a photo on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis.
© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
However, she has her father Eric to thank for getting her off the sidelines and into the game. When Wiseman was in Kindergarten, she chose cheerleading and watched basketball players move up and down the sidelines. Her father was a former Division III basketball player at Crown College and later at Moody Bible Institute, a Division II school. He loved the game and had tall genes to support that.
“My dad really wanted me to play basketball, and I was on the sideline cheering and was like ‘hmm, I kind of want to play’ and yeah just picked it up,” Wiseman said.
A young Faith Wiseman plays for the Indiana Flight.
Faith Wiseman
Wiseman also had the influence of her four brothers, particularly her older brother Christian, a 6-foot-9 center who played at Grove City College in Pennsylvania for the 2021-22 season.
Height is a great tool for Wiseman, but it's not everything. Wiseman admitted she wasn't always as coordinated as she is now. She started noticing she was getting better and better around middle school.
“In eighth grade, we had a really good school team,” Wiseman said. “I played AAU basically my whole life. I started in third grade, and then me and my dad just got in the gym and really worked.”
Wiseman joined Indian Creek head coach Brian Ferris's varsity squad as a freshman and even earned the start. She made the team alongside her best friend and point guard Lauren Foster, who would serve as another support system in the transition to higher level basketball.
“Moving from eighth grade to freshman, it was telling her we’ve got big plans for you, a lot of potential there," Ferris said. "Just know that it’s going to be some work and not to try to do too much too early.”
Ferris and Wiseman go way back as he actually first saw her play when she was in the fifth grade. Ferris was a referee. He first noticed her height followed by her motivation and solid mechanics to match as she got older.
A young Faith Wiseman dribbles the ball down the court for the Indiana Flight.
Faith Wiseman
“She had that outside shot,” Ferris said. “She was working on her ball handling, passing, so a lot of versatility there, and the big thing was just her drive and her passion. She wanted to win.”
Now, Ferris is entering his seventh season as head coach at Indian Creek. Last season was the best finish of Ferris's so far, and he blames the perfect storm of good players with exceptional leadership skills.
“Definitely a vocal leader,” Wiseman said. “I just really like to pump up my teammates. We have a good time, and we cheer each other on.”
This attitude will fit in well with the Hoosier culture as head coach Teri Moren and her staff are picky with the types of players they let wear the cream and crimson. It's not just about the talent for them.
Last summer playing AAU, Wiseman started noticing Indiana personnel on the sidelines, but she didn't assume it was for her. She had lots of good players on her team, she said. Then the texts and calls from Hoosier associate head coach Rhet Wierzba rolled in.
“He was just like ‘we have interest’, and then they wanted to do an in-person visit, and that’s where I got my offer,” Wiseman said. “It was just such a happy day."
On her official visit, Hoosier rising fifth year forward Mackenzie Holmes made sure to make Wiseman and her family feel at home. She stayed near them all day. Wiseman will never get to play with Holmes, but she can surely take advantage of the opportunity to model herself after the 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and team's leading scorer.
Indiana women's basketball recruit Faith Wiseman poses with forward Mackenzie Holmes.
Faith Wiseman
“Her finishing and footwork is amazing,” Wiseman said. “Me and my dad watch clips online and just try to use that in training and do the same moves she does.”
Since committing, the anticipation has been fun for Wiseman and her family but also for the community. Wiseman, her AAU team and her family would often travel to Indiana's games and hardly ever missed a game on TV. Games would be on at the dinner table.
Moren and her staff have since been out to visit Wiseman and Ferris and even went to one of her volleyball games where she plays middle blocker.
“It was easy as all get out talking to her,” Ferris said of Moren. “We talked about more than just basketball. I was excited for Faith because I knew it was going to be a great fit cause it really seems like a family atmosphere, and it’s kind of what we try to do here.”
In addition to Holmes and honestly the whole team, Wiseman said she's always getting texts from 2023 recruits Julianna LaMendola and Lenée Beaumont checking in with her. Rising sophomore forward Lilly Meister has also added to the chain of encouragement.
The good news is Wiseman can essentially take her community with her to Bloomington. Plus, younger players are now starting to follow Indiana more knowing Wiseman is going to be a part of the program, Ferris said.
Indiana women's basketball recruit Faith Wiseman poses with guard Grace Berger.
Faith Wiseman
“My family’s close, and my high school friends will be close and my coaches, so it’ll be fun for them to come visit me after the games,” Wiseman said.
Before making the short move to Bloomington in 2024, Wiseman and Ferris still have unfinished business at Indian Creek. Wiseman wants to win county again and of course go for that state title her senior season. Ferris admires Wiseman's ability to not be complacent and the recognition of skills she wants to sharpen. She knows her weaknesses, and she knows her strengths.
“She’s my first one going the big, big time," Ferris said.
With around 22 offers to choose from, Wiseman will stay close by and join last season's No. 2 team in the nation, a dream come true for a player who was first a Hoosier fan.
“This is home,” Wiseman said. “It’s really when I met the coaches and the players.
Related stories on Indiana women's basketball
- WHAT INDIANA FEVER COACH CHRISTIE SIDES SAID ABOUT GRACE BERGER Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides addressed the media Tuesday afternoon and talked about the progress former Indiana Hoosier guard Grace Berger is making in the preseason. Final roster cuts ahead of the 2023 WNBA regular season will be made Thursday evening. CLICK HERE
- GRACE BERGER'S PLAYING TIME AHEAD OF ROSTER CUTS Former Indiana Hoosier Grace Berger is just three days away from potentially making the Indiana Fever's final roster cut. While the odds are looking to be in her favor given her playing time, nothing is official until the final word from the WNBA. CLICK HERE
- HOOSIER FANS CAN NOW RESERVE 2023-24 SEASON SEATS For the first time in program history, Indiana women's basketball fans can buy reserved seating season tickets for the 2023-24 season. Ticket prices and details are inside the story. CLICK HERE
