Tiffany Gooden

Even as a young woman, the basketball prospects of Tiffany Gooden were apparent to those who knew her. As middle-schooler and into her high school years, Gooden was named an AAU All-American five consecutive years.[4] During her AAU career, Gooden played for four teams that won national titles.[5]

Gooden attended R. Nelson Snider High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Gooden was a prolific scorer throughout her high school career. She is still ranked 13th best all-time among all Indiana high school girls' basketball players with 2,198 points scored.[6]

As a sophomore, Gooden finished 8th in the state in scoring points per game. As a junior, she improved to 4th in the state, averaging 29.9 points per game. She also finished 4th in her senior year, averaging an identical 29.9 points per game.

In tribute to her great impact on the basketball floor, Gooden received several postseason awards at the end of her senior year. The ultimate recognition came when it was announced that Gooden was winner of the 1994 Naismith Award, a prestigious honor given annually by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to the high school girls basketball player of the year. Gooden was also named to the 1994 Parade All-American team as the National Player of the Year.

After graduating, Gooden wore the #1 jersey as recipient of the 1994 Indiana Miss Basketball award. She led the Indiana All-stars in a pair of games against cross-border rivals from Kentucky. Gooden played a significant role in the Indiana sweep of the two game series. In the process, she scored 31 points as Indiana won the first game in Kentucky, and she scored 24 points in the following victory in Indianapolis. Her two-game total of 55 points still stands as the best two-game efforts in the history of the series.[7]

In 2000, it was announced that Gooden was one of 12 players named to the IHSAA's "First Silver Era" team, celebrating the first 25 years of Indiana high school girls' basketball.[8]

As a freshman, Gooden was named the 1995 Big Ten Freshman Player of the Year. Her sophomore season, Gooden made the All Big-10 Team as a 2nd team selection. But injuries slowed Gooden's progress in college, and she finished her career with 1,024 points.

After her college career, Gooden participated in the 1998 ABL Draft. She was selected in the 2nd round, the 18th pick overall, by the Colorado Xplosion. Gooden's career lasted 13 games before the team and league folded and ceased playing games.

Gooden's success continued after her playing days were over. In addition to her selection to the Big 10 athletic teams, Gooden was a 3-time member of the Academic All Big-10 team, being named in 1996, 1997, and again in 1998. Gooden completed her undergraduate studies with a degree in Communication Studies. In 1998, she was one of the recipients of an NCAA Post-Graduate scholarship, which she applied toward her enrollment in Iowa's law school.[11] She graduated from law school and returned to her home town to become a practicing attorney.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to her community both on and off the basketball court, Gooden was honored by a local newspaper. Each year, The Journal Gazette awards the Tiffany Gooden Award to the most outstanding basketball player in the SAC. The award has been given since 1994, when Gooden was named the first award winner.[12]