STANFORD, Calif. – Gracyn Gilliard, the 2025-26 Indiana State Player of the Year, has signed with Stanford and will be a freshman on The Farm in 2026-27, Setsuko Ishiyama Director of Women’s Basketball Kate Paye announced Monday.
A 5-foot-11 guard/forward from Greenwood, Ind., Gilliard led Center Grove to a 29-0 record and the Class 4A state title this past season. She averaged 25.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.9 assists in her senior season and finished her prep career with 1,983 points. Gilliard poured in 23 points to go with nine rebounds and six steals to help her team eliminate an 11-point deficit in the state title game and make Center Grove the first unbeaten state champion in Indiana since 2013.
“I chose Stanford because this school is the perfect balance of academic and athletic excellence,” Gilliard said of her decision. “Coach Paye and her staff are the best of the best at developing players not only in basketball, but all aspects of their life.”
Among numerous accolades in 2025-26, Gilliard was selected Indiana Miss Basketball, Gatorade Indiana Girls Basketball Player of the Year and MaxPreps Indiana High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Gilliard tallied 18.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 3.2 steals in an 18-4 junior campaign. She earlier played two seasons at Munster High School, helping the Mustangs to a two-season record of 35-13. Gilliard averaged 20.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 4.5 steals as a freshman, then totaled 25.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 5.9 steals as a sophomore.
“Gracyn is an effective three-level scorer, and her maturity and composure are exceptional for a young player,” Paye said. “She produced all throughout her high school career, really took her game to the next level as a senior, and we are excited for her to continue that momentum in the coming years. Gracyn is a high-character individual and a dedicated student who will thrive at Stanford, and we’re looking forward to the positive impact she will bring to our program.”
Gilliard is the seventh announced newcomer in 2026-27 along with transfers Inés Sotelo (Michigan State), Ilse de Vries (Miami [OH]) and Charlotte Tuhy (American), and fellow freshmen Kiara Green, Elyse Ngenda and Jordyn Wheeler.