Ball State University Athletics
Women’s Basketball Adds Experience with San Diego Transfer Helen Holley
April 19, 2026 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University women's basketball 15th-year head coach Brady Sallee announced the signing of University of San Diego transfer Helen Holley for the 2026-27 season. Holley, a 6-foot-1 forward originally from Cleveland, Ohio, joins the Cardinals with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
"This one is an exciting addition for me," Sallee said. "I've wanted to coach Helen from the first time I saw her as a Junior in High School. She has an elite combination of athleticism and motor that allows her to impact a game in multiple ways. Her versatility fits so well in our system, and I cannot wait to see her playing in the open floor with a Ball State jersey on."
During the 2025-26 campaign at San Diego, Holley appeared in 32 games, earning 20 starts. At San Diego Holley proved she could crash the glass against size, notably grabbing a career high nine rebounds against high-major competition like UC Irvine and Southeast Missouri State. Although, her offense is done mostly inside the paint she also drained a few 3-pointers for the Toreros this season.
A standout at Gilmour Academy, where she was a two-time All-Ohio Second Team honoree, Holley began her collegiate career in the Big Ten at Michigan State. After one year with the Spartans, she spent her sophomore season in California before choosing to return closer to home to play for Sallee and the Cardinals.
Joining the Ball State's 2026-27 recruiting class along with Holley are early signees Lillian Barnes of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Dutch standout Klaske Miedema.
"This one is an exciting addition for me," Sallee said. "I've wanted to coach Helen from the first time I saw her as a Junior in High School. She has an elite combination of athleticism and motor that allows her to impact a game in multiple ways. Her versatility fits so well in our system, and I cannot wait to see her playing in the open floor with a Ball State jersey on."
During the 2025-26 campaign at San Diego, Holley appeared in 32 games, earning 20 starts. At San Diego Holley proved she could crash the glass against size, notably grabbing a career high nine rebounds against high-major competition like UC Irvine and Southeast Missouri State. Although, her offense is done mostly inside the paint she also drained a few 3-pointers for the Toreros this season.
A standout at Gilmour Academy, where she was a two-time All-Ohio Second Team honoree, Holley began her collegiate career in the Big Ten at Michigan State. After one year with the Spartans, she spent her sophomore season in California before choosing to return closer to home to play for Sallee and the Cardinals.
Joining the Ball State's 2026-27 recruiting class along with Holley are early signees Lillian Barnes of Valparaiso, Indiana, and Dutch standout Klaske Miedema.
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