Ball State University Athletics

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Women’s Basketball Welcomes Iris Vennema to 2023-24 Signing Class
November 12, 2022 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State women's basketball team welcomes its newest 2023-24 early signee Iris Vennema who hails from the Netherlands. Vennema joins this week's recruiting class of Ashlynn Brooke (Royal Center, Ind./Pioneer High School) along with identical twins Hailey Smith (Fishers, Ind./Fishers High School) and Olivia Smith ((Fishers, Ind./Fishers High School).
"What an awesome way to cap our early signing period," Ball State head coach Brady Sallee said. "Iris is an exciting talent! She has elite size, strength and a skill set that will excite our Ball State fans!! Her talent is evident but what I fell in love with during the recruiting process was a work ethic and toughness level that I am excited to coach. Iris is coming here to do big things and I look forward to having a front row seat to watch it happen!"
A three-time Dutch National Team honoree (U15-U18-U20), this European standout has had a successful career overseas. Vennema's career was highlighted after being named Rookie of the Year in 2020-21 while also playing for the club team Triple Threat. She was selected to the U18 FIBA 3x3 World Cup team in 2022, where she helped her squad to a sixth-place finish.
This season, Vennema is averaging 14.3 points per game, 2.8 assists, 3.5 steals, and 2.3 rebounds while playing for the U18 and U20 Netherlands national teams. She helped her U18 team finish sixth overall.
Vennema is currently playing with the U21 Den Helder Suns Club, where she is averaging 16.5 points per game while helping her team to a fifth-place standing.
"What an awesome way to cap our early signing period," Ball State head coach Brady Sallee said. "Iris is an exciting talent! She has elite size, strength and a skill set that will excite our Ball State fans!! Her talent is evident but what I fell in love with during the recruiting process was a work ethic and toughness level that I am excited to coach. Iris is coming here to do big things and I look forward to having a front row seat to watch it happen!"
A three-time Dutch National Team honoree (U15-U18-U20), this European standout has had a successful career overseas. Vennema's career was highlighted after being named Rookie of the Year in 2020-21 while also playing for the club team Triple Threat. She was selected to the U18 FIBA 3x3 World Cup team in 2022, where she helped her squad to a sixth-place finish.
This season, Vennema is averaging 14.3 points per game, 2.8 assists, 3.5 steals, and 2.3 rebounds while playing for the U18 and U20 Netherlands national teams. She helped her U18 team finish sixth overall.
Vennema is currently playing with the U21 Den Helder Suns Club, where she is averaging 16.5 points per game while helping her team to a fifth-place standing.
Sports Link: National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Wednesday, February 25
This Week in Ball State Sports Podcast // Brady Sallee and Jeff Mitchell
Thursday, February 05
Celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day // Produced by Ball State Sports Link
Wednesday, February 04
Sports Link: Ashlynn Brooke (Women's Basketball)
Wednesday, January 21



