Sydney Parrish Made Huge Impact in One Indiana Women's Basketball Season, More to Come
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana women's basketball rising senior guard Sydney Parrish has been in Bloomington for just one season and has already created a lasting legacy for herself and the program with two more years left to play.
Parrish is the only Indiana native on the team as she grew up in Fishers before playing at Oregon for two seasons. The 6-foot-2 guard said in a press conference earlier this season she knew she made the right decision coming home to Indiana. Yes, the program had a successful year as the Hoosiers finished 28-4 with a slate of awards to follow, but Parrish's leadership has given Hoosier fans even more to cheer for in years to come.
Indiana's Sydney Parrish (33) drives on Maryland's Diamond Miller (1) during the second half of the Indiana versus Maryland women's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.
© Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
First off, the All-Big Ten Honorable Mention is a great story. She left her home state to join the Ducks where she started in 34-of-55 games and scored 410 points in two seasons. While she certainly saw success in Oregon, her heart belonged at home where the fan base raves about the former Indiana Miss Basketball.
In her first season in the Hoosier uniform, Parrish played off the bench for six games while Minnesota transfer guard Sara Scalia was tapped as the official starter. Once former guard Grace Berger went down with a right knee injury in late November, Parrish's number was called to start, and from then on the job was hers.
Berger eventually returned to her starting spot while Scalia was bumped out of the top five. She still played plenty of minutes off the bench and was often considered the team's sixth starter by head coach Teri Moren.
Moren often described Parrish as a player who knew her role. She was comfortable with the veteran Hoosiers leading but also knew the appropriate times to speak up herself. She is animated on the court, always encouraging teammates on the floor and sparks lots of praise from fans on Twitter and Facebook.
Parrish ended her junior season with 385 points shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc. Behind freshman guard Yarden Garzon's 70 triples, Parrish totaled 55 on the season.
The Oregon transfer was also second in rebounds with 174 boards behind senior forward Mackenzie Holmes' 227 on the season. Parrish was reliable and versatile just about anywhere on the court and also loved playing in front of her grandparents, who attended every game.
Indiana's Mackenzie Holmes (54) and Sydney Parrish (33) celebrate after the second half of the Indiana versus Iowa women's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.
© Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
Parrish will return to Indiana for her senior season and even has one more after that if she wants it. With her hometown love behind her plus a group of new Hoosier fans supporting No. 33, Parrish has made a tremendous impact on Indiana women's basketball. Whether it's hitting a clutch three-pointer or giving a teammate a pep talk, Parrish is essential for Hoosier success.
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