Behind every athlete’s success, there’s almost always a tale of steadfast support and direction. For Gabbie Marshall, her parents, Ernest and Marne Marshall’s backing, has played a crucial role in her path to becoming Iowa’s #24. And, well, so did their own history with college basketball…

Born on August 22, 2000, the origins of Gabbie Marshall’s passion for basketball can be found in her early years spent in a loving American home in Cincinnati, Ohio. Having played a crucial role in the Iowa Hawkeyes’ success since joining the team in 2019, Marshall’s climb to basketball glory can be attributed, in part, to her hometown’s dynamic basketball culture, setting the groundwork for her eventual on-court success. But for the most part, it was her parents.

Her father, Ernest Marshall Jr., played for the Bellarmine Knights while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in accounting and business administration from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Following his time there, he secured a law degree from Indiana University Bloomington School of Law and an MBA from Indiana University. Now, he’s the executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Eaton Corporation – a multinational power management company.

As for Gabbie Marshall’s mother, Marne, she played basketball for a year at Aquinas College, a liberal arts university in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Although her current job role is undisclosed, there’s no denying her impact on Gabbie’s life. Apart from their star basketball-playing daughter, Marne and Ernest are parents to three other children – Noah, Luke, and Lily. And for Gabbie, they’re the “3 of the biggest blessings in my life.”

The Hawkeyes guard often shares appreciation posts for her family members on Instagram. Whether it be calling her elder brother “the next John Legend” or dedicating a heartfelt “World’s greatest dad doesn’t do you justice” message to her father. In one of the many posts featuring all her siblings, the 23-year-old wrote, “It was always instilled in me since I was a little girl how important keeping your family close is in life. My dad always said, ‘I always want my kiddos to be close no matter what.”

Together, her family has created a loving, supportive, and encouraging atmosphere that has paved the way for Gabbie’s extraordinary accomplishments on and off the court. As for her other relationships, Marshall is dating Spencer Touro, a former sport and recreation major from the University of Iowa who used to play football and basketball at the university. Owing to their mutual love for basketball (among other things), their friendship grew into a deep partnership that demonstrated the strength of love and camaraderie.

Thanks to all the pillars of support in her life, Marshall became a force to be reckoned with on the court. As she played her final games in the Carver-Hawkeye Arena, her teammates showed their love for her. Caitlin Clark wrote, “My girl for life. Forever proud,” while Sydney Affolter penned, “Love you so much, Gab. My girl forever.”

From high school MVP to a Big 10 All-Tournament Team player: Gabbie Marshall’s basketball journey

Gabbie had unprecedented success in basketball at Cincinnati’s Mount Notre Dame High School. She was a star player, drawing the attention of basketball fans all around the region, under the guidance of committed coaches, and driven by her unyielding resolve. Gabbie’s outstanding ability and unwavering work ethic enabled her to establish herself as a key member of her high school squad, garnering praise and credit for her outstanding achievements.

Her love for basketball began at an early age and took off in her senior year of high school. She flourished under the direction of Team coach Dr. Scott Rogers, winning the state championship twice in 2017 and 2019. Gabbie’s abilities and remarkable stats were recognized when she was chosen as her school’s most valuable player.

The guard got a spot on the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team soon after enrolling at the University of Iowa. She participated in 30+ games her first year, leading the team in 3-pointers and scoring 149 points. She has continuously performed well throughout the years, garnering honors and recognition, thus also including a position on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team in the 2022-23 season.