Abby Downard is in her first season as a graduate assistant for the Purdue women’s basketball team. She assists the program in the day-to-day basketball operations, including setting up practices, managing the practice squad and opponent scouting.
Downard reunited with Katie Gearlds, her head coach for four seasons at Marian University. Together, Downard and Gearlds guided the Knights to a 114-22 record with four Crossroads League regular season titles, two league tournament championships and four NAIA National Tournament appearances.
Downard finished her Marian career with a 144-27 record, winning the Crossroads League regular-season championship and making the NAIA Tournament all five seasons. She was named an NAIA All-American in 2020 and three-time All-Crossroads League First Team selection.
Downard appeared in school record 143 career games for the Knights, amassing 1,456 points (10.2 ppg) with 658 assists (4.6 apg) and a school record 291 steals (2.1 spg). She finished her career ranked fourth in program history in scoring, third in free throw percentage (89.4%).
Downard joined Purdue after one season as an assistant coach for Franklin College.
She played her high school basketball at Cardinal Ritter, where she set the all-time scoring record for Raiders. She won 70 games during her high school career and won one sectional title.
