Iowa's Mr. and Miss Basketball To Be Bulldogs

The Drake University men's and women's basketball programs' stock within the state of Iowa has almost never been higher as the Bulldogs have landed both Iowa's Mr. Basketball and Miss Basketball in Tucker DeVries and Katie Dinnebier for the upcoming season. DeVries, son of head coach Darian DeVries, and Dinnebier earned the honors in March, following the conclusion of two of the best seasons in Iowa history.

This award dates back to 1981 and is given to the best high school boys and girls basketball player in the state. DeVries will be only the second Mr. Basketball award winner to become a Bulldog and the first to join the Bulldogs straight out of high school. Previously, David Newman joined the Bulldogs as a transfer after being the 1998 Mr. Basketball. Dinnebier is the eighth Iowa's Miss Basketball to take her talents to Drake University, joining a list that includes Nicole Miller (2015), Linda Sayavongchanh (2002), Sara Stribe (1998), Tammi Blackstone (1996), Karen Schulte (1993), Lisa Brinkmeyer (1993) and Jenni Fitzgerald (1986).

Both DeVries and Dinnebier will venture east from Waukee High School and are the first Waukee Warriors to ever earn this accolade. They will also stand as the only duo to receive this yearly award while attending the same high school. This honor was the icing on the cake for these two individuals as they both managed to secure a state championship this past season.

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Tucker DeVries transferred to Waukee before his sophomore season from Elkhorn South, a high school just outside Omaha, Neb., and his production as a Warrior was fruitful. He worked his way to a starting spot as a sophomore and never looked back, starting the next 55 games he played in. DeVries accumulated 1,092 points, 430 rebounds, 268 assists and 121 steals in those three seasons. In addition, he also etched his name in the Waukee record books with the most points scored in a single season during his junior year (554).

However, as a senior, DeVries had arguably his best season. He averaged 18.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.9 steals per game while also shooting more than 50 percent from the field and 43.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc. This year was indeed an unforgettable season for DeVries.

"Our whole team had to go through significant amounts of adversity throughout the year and were able to stick together, making state and [Mr. Basketball] possibly," DeVries said, genuinely thankful. "Mr. Basketball was meaningful because it was basically proof that all my hard work had paid off and it was a relief to end my high school career in the way I did."

DeVries looks to a bright future at Drake and is full of excitement when asked about his decision.

"The guys they have there that I've been able to get close to, the foundation [Drake] has built and the recent success has always been something I wanted to be a part of," he beamed. "I'm looking forward most to the atmosphere brought to every game and I hope I can do my part to help get where the team wants to go. Overall, Drake feels like the best place for me to spend my four years of college basketball."

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On the women's side, Katie Dinnebier committed early on in September of 2019 and has proven her loyalty to the Bulldogs throughout her dominating career at Waukee, in which she started all 63 games she participated in for four years. She totaled 979 points, 234 assists, 222 rebounds and a whopping 214 steals. Dinnebier also found her way in the Waukee record books by breaking the single-season steal record as a junior (108).

Dinnebier's senior season was already complicated due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, but on top of that, she was forced to deal with an injury that kept her out of two games. Nevertheless, Dinnebier would not let any obstacles put an end to her dreams as she led the Warriors to a state championship of their own while averaging a team-high in almost every statistical category. She finished the year shooting 56.4 percent from the field and 45.7 percent on three-pointers on her way to averaging 19.1 points, 4.0 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game.

Dinnebier was very appreciative of being selected for Iowa's Miss. Basketball following her incredible season.

"Earning Miss Basketball was special to me because of how prestigious of an award it is and there were so many good athletes that could have been chosen," Dinnebier said.

It recently was announced that Drake University women's head coach, Jennie Baranczyk, would be leaving the Bulldogs and former associate head coach, Allison Pohlman, would be replacing her. This coaching transition would be an abrupt change for a commit beginning her career the following season, but Dinnebier was not fazed by it.

"I really like Allison and passing up a school like Drake would be hard, so I am truly happy I get the opportunity to stay around such a good group of people," Dinnebier said. "On top of that, not many athletes get the opportunity to represent their hometown at the collegiate level. I will do what I can to have an immediate impact on the team and their success. [Drake] already has so much potential and they are able to feed off such a great environment. I am glad I get to join something so special!"

Tucker DeVries and Katie Dinnebier have generated the tools needed for success in their prospective careers as Bulldogs. They will officially join the program this off-season and begin their preparation for the 2021-22 season. The duo has accomplished an overwhelming amount in high school and looks forward to transferring those achievements to Drake basketball.

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Iowa's Mr. and Miss Basketball To Be Bulldogs