« Women’s Basketball 2019-20

Ciara Duffy

School
University of South Dakota
Position
Guard
Major
Political Science and History

Classroom

An outstanding student who completed her bachelor’s degree with a double-major in political science and history with a 4.0 grade-point average in three years, Duffy has begun working towards a master’s degree in secondary education. Duffy is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American who garnered a spot on the first team as a junior, an honor bestowed to only five women’s basketball players in the nation. She is also a two-time Academic All-Summit League honoree as one of five players to make the academic team both seasons. Other academic honors include the Summit League’s Comissioner’s List of Academic Excellence and the Summit League Honor Roll. Duffy spent several weeks in Russia in Summer 2018 taking a study-abroad class in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Duffy works as a tutor on USD’s campus, helping further her goal of teaching political science or history at the high school or collegiate level.

Character

Duffy is a four-year starter for the Coyotes who has led by example throughout her career. She has officially taken on the role of captain for the 2019-20 season. Duffy is one of the hardest workers on the team, who spends countless hours in the gym working out and shooting. Over the previous summer, she would get to the gym by 4:30 a.m. to get shots up prior to various camps and activities on the court. Duffy has the willingness to work hard and to improve the smallest pieces of her game. She has done all that’s been asked of her by the coaching staff, including playing every position from point guard to post on both ends of the court. Her selflessness and leadership have helped the Coyotes reach unprecedented heights on the floor throughout her career.

Community

Student-athletes on the USD women’s basketball team are incredibly involved in the community, volunteering their time and representing the team. Volunteer opportunities Duffy has participated in include working with special needs children at the Miracle League Baseball in the summer, singing Christmas carols and spending time with elderly in the Vermillion nursing home, serving food to those in need at the Welcome Table, helping with a reading program at the Vermillion elementary school, volunteering with the Children’s Miracle Network and mentoring young girls as a part of Coach P’s Pack. Duffy was also a member of SAAC on campus for two years, helping organize a food drive for the Vermillion area food pantry both years. Prior to college, Duffy took two mission trips to Jamaica.

Competition

A two-time All-Summit League first team player, Duffy is a 6-foot guard who can and has played all five positions on the floor. Duffy was voted by the Summit League’s coaches, SIDs and media members as the 2019-20 Summit League Preseason Player of the Year. A four-year starter for the Coyotes, the team’s success during her career includes becoming the first Summit League team to receive an at-large bid to the 2019 NCAA Tournament, making the AP Top 25 poll for the first time in program history and going undefeated to win the 2017-18 Summit League regular season championship title. Other individual accolades she has accrued include the 2017 Summit League Freshman of the Year, making the 2017 Summit League newcomer team and the 2018 Summit League All-Tournament team . Career statistics for Duffy include averaging 12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game during her USD career. She surpassed 1,000 career points midway through her junior season while nearing in on 500 rebounds and 300 assists. Duffy averaged 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game during her junior campaign.