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Indiana State University Athletics

Hall of Fame

sharps

Denise Sharps

  • Class
    1977
  • Induction
    2010
  • Sport(s)
    Women's Basketball
Few Indiana State athletes have had great success in their chosen sport and fewer have been able to translate that success into other sports. One of those is Denise Sharps. A graduate of Muskegon Junior College, Sharps transferred to Indiana State and played basketball under the direction of Hall of Fame Coach Edith Godleski.

 

Sharps played three sports at Indiana State including basketball, volleyball, and softball. She was a member of the softball team that was Indiana state champions and state runner-up that advanced to the regional and nationals in Omaha, Neb., both years. She was also a member of the basketball team that competed in the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) regional tournament and the National Women’s Invitational Tournament (NWIT) in Amarillo, Tex., both years.

 

Basketball was where she made her mark on Indiana State history as she led the team in points scored during the 1975-76 season with 413 points (16.5 points per game average) and during the 1976-1977 season with 495 points (19.8 points per game).

 

A member of the Indiana State All-Decade team for the 1970’s, Sharps ranks first in career scoring average at 18.2 points per game after scoring 908 points in 50 games. She also ranks first in single season field goals made with 231 during the 1976-77 season and 11th in single season points scored (495 during the 1976-77 season).

 

Sharps played for the Iowa Comets of the Women’s Professional Basketball League where she was named an All-Star during her rookie season. She also played for the Chicago Hustle and the Minnesota Fillies before the collapse of the circuit following the 1980-81 season.

 

She was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

  • Led team in points scored during 1975-76 season with 413 points (16.5 points per game average) 

  • Led team in points scored during 1976-77 season with 495 points (19.8 points per game average). 

  • Ranks first in career scoring average at 18.2 points per game (908 points/50 games) 

  • Ranks 11th in single season points scored at 495 (1976-77 season) 

  • Tied for 11th in single season scoring average at 19.8 (1976-77 season) 

  • Ranks first in single season field goals made with 231 (1976-77 season) 

  • Played for Iowa Comets, Chicago Hustle and Minnesota Fillies of the Women’s Professional Basketball League (1978-1981) 

  • Inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 

  • Inducted into Hall of Fame October 9, 2010 

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