You’ve committed to play college basketball at Indiana—what was it about the Hoosiers program, coaching staff, and culture that made it feel like the right fit for your future?
“It was 100 percent the people. The first moment I stepped on campus I experienced the people, the environment, and I had a really good feeling, a comfortable feeling. My parents felt the same and I interacted with the players, and the coaches. I got to see the day in the life of being a Hoosier. It really fit with my morals and the culture that I want to be a part of.”
Gigi Battle drives to the basket against ABC Prep.
You come from a basketball family, with two older brothers who played in college and are now playing Pro Ball overseas. How have they influenced your development, mindset, or competitiveness on and off the court?
“My whole families influence is my competitiveness, my brothers especially, they are both strong minded and they both want the best for me and being around them just makes me want to be better every day you know accomplish what they have accomplished and more. They have helped me in ways I can’t even describe, and they reach out to me, text me, make sure I am doing okay and give me tips and videos on how I can improve every day.”
This season you’re playing in the Grind Session’s Power Conference—one of the toughest schedules in the country. What aspects of your game have grown the most from competing at this level every night?
“Definitely my aggression I think being around such aggressive players makes you want to be even more aggressive. Individually, taking shots that are needed in order to win. You know sometimes people can be passive, I know I can be passive but knowing that I need to help my team and that I need to be a leader and especially playing these high level teams it’s really important to be vocal and it teaches you that every time you step on the court. It really prepares you for that next level.”
Gigi Battle with the layup in Boca Raton against Grind Prep.
You’re known as a versatile guard who defends at an elite level. What mindset or preparation goes into being such a high-level two-way player who can impact the game anywhere on the floor?
“I personally believe I can play any position and so for me it’s just attacking and being aggressive every day. When I have that aggressive mindset I play my best basketball. Being surrounded by people that bring so much to the team itself, and we have a really good group this year, so having that help will make it so much easier for me to do my role which is be aggressive, rebound the ball, get to the rim, get to the foul line. Having that mindset makes me a better player every day.”
Playing for Coach Mike Panaggio at DME Academy, what is something he has helped you unlock in your game that you’re especially proud of heading into your senior year?
Confidence! I think he’s helped me so much being confident, not being passive, trusting myself. You know the more trust he has in me the more trust I have in myself. He helps me every day just understanding the game, teaching me and that teaching has shown on the court really.”
You grew up in New Jersey, now play in Florida, and soon will be in the Big Ten. How have these different basketball environments shaped you as a player and a person?
“Well Jersey basketball is like no other! There are dogs that come out of Jersey, Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), Olivis Miles (TCU), Mikayla Blake. Those are a few players I have been surrounded with most of my basketball career. Being from Jersey lights a fire in you and there is a different type of competitiveness, and I feel like I was able to bring that competitiveness into Florida and show people Jersey basketball. Coming from Jersey and now being in Florida, it’s just given me so much more exposure.”
Gigi Battle in 2025 Championship game
You wear No. 24—does that number hold a special meaning for you, or is there a story behind why you chose it?
“My family, my mom wore 24, my dad everybody in my family had a number in the 20’s. Kobe Bryant is a huge reason why I wear 24, he is so inspirational and being able to wear that number on my chest just means a lot and its always been my favorite number since I was really young.”
You guys went undefeated last year and went all the way to the Grind Session Championship game and lost in the final seconds. How has that loss affected you and is it pushing you harder this season.
“OMG! It is going to push me so much I think of that game every single day. I cried so much after that game there were so many emotions. I think the biggest thing that hurt us in that game was our team itself and I think this year we have a really great team, one of the best teams in the country. Honestly, I think we have a really good shot at winning it all we just have to take it one step at a time and have that aggressive attack mindset.”
