University of Minnesota Athletics
2026-27 Women's Basketball Roster
Jersey Number 44
Gracie Merkle
- Class:
- Redshirt Senior
- Position:
- C
- Height:
- 6-6
- High School:
- Bullitt East
- Hometown:
- Mount Washington, Ky.
- Prev School:
- Penn State / Bellarmine
2026-27 REDSHIRT SENIOR SEASON
• Signed with Minnesota in April 2026
2025-26 REDSHIRT JUNIOR SEASON (at Penn State)
• Started 24 of the 26 games she played in for the Lions.
• Led the team in rebounds (8.2 per game), blocks (1.07 per game) and field goal percentage (.725)
• Second on the team in scoring (19.2 per game)
• Posted eight double-doubles
2024-25 REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE SEASON (at Penn State)
• Played in 28 games and started in 26
• Averaged 15.5 point per game and led team in scoring with 433 total points
• Averaged 8.6 rebounds per game and led team with 240 rebounds
• Had 15 double-doubles
• Scored in double figures 23 times
2023-24 SOPHOMORE SEASON (at Bellarmine)
• Redshirted
2022-23 FRESHMAN SEASON (at Bellarmine)
• Named 2023 ASUN Freshman of the Year, Second Team All-Conference and All-Freshman team
• Led team in scoring (15.1 per game), rebounding (11.0 per game), field goal percentage (.702), blocked shots (2.3 per game), field goals made (191), free throw attempts (140) and free throws made (87)
• Set program records for single season field goal percentage (.702) and single season rebounds (340)
• Had 19 double-doubles
• Scored in double figures in 23 games
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played four seasons at Bullitt East High School and had more than 1,000 points and 500 rebounds
• Named 2022 Kentucky Miss Basketball and was a 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year candidate
• Three-time All-State honoree, two-time 6th Region Player of the Year and two-time Bullitt County Player of the Year
• Finished high school career ranked second in Kentucky Class of 2022 by Prep Girls Hoops Kentucky
• Averaged 18.6 points and 10 rebounds as a senior
PERSONAL
• Daughter of Lorie and John Merkle
• Has two brothers (Hunter and Shepherd) and one sister (Lily)
• Signed with Minnesota in April 2026
2025-26 REDSHIRT JUNIOR SEASON (at Penn State)
• Started 24 of the 26 games she played in for the Lions.
• Led the team in rebounds (8.2 per game), blocks (1.07 per game) and field goal percentage (.725)
• Second on the team in scoring (19.2 per game)
• Posted eight double-doubles
2024-25 REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE SEASON (at Penn State)
• Played in 28 games and started in 26
• Averaged 15.5 point per game and led team in scoring with 433 total points
• Averaged 8.6 rebounds per game and led team with 240 rebounds
• Had 15 double-doubles
• Scored in double figures 23 times
2023-24 SOPHOMORE SEASON (at Bellarmine)
• Redshirted
2022-23 FRESHMAN SEASON (at Bellarmine)
• Named 2023 ASUN Freshman of the Year, Second Team All-Conference and All-Freshman team
• Led team in scoring (15.1 per game), rebounding (11.0 per game), field goal percentage (.702), blocked shots (2.3 per game), field goals made (191), free throw attempts (140) and free throws made (87)
• Set program records for single season field goal percentage (.702) and single season rebounds (340)
• Had 19 double-doubles
• Scored in double figures in 23 games
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played four seasons at Bullitt East High School and had more than 1,000 points and 500 rebounds
• Named 2022 Kentucky Miss Basketball and was a 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year candidate
• Three-time All-State honoree, two-time 6th Region Player of the Year and two-time Bullitt County Player of the Year
• Finished high school career ranked second in Kentucky Class of 2022 by Prep Girls Hoops Kentucky
• Averaged 18.6 points and 10 rebounds as a senior
PERSONAL
• Daughter of Lorie and John Merkle
• Has two brothers (Hunter and Shepherd) and one sister (Lily)
Play in Focus: Amaya Battle
Thursday, April 02
Postgame Reaction: Sweet Sixteen
Saturday, March 28
Press Conference: Sweet Sixteen Preview
Thursday, March 26
Thank You Gopher Fans
Wednesday, March 25
