Two-sport star Logan Nissley commits to Nebraska basketball
BISMARCK, N.D. (BVM) – Logan Nissley has been turning her hard work and dedication into tangible success over the last year
She was named the 2020-21 Gatorade North Dakota Girls Basketball Player of the Year after she broke single-season school records in points (556), assists (100) and steals (93) last May. She also led the Patriots to an undefeated season and a state championship.
Then this past fall, she was named the 2021-22 Gatorade North Dakota Volleyball Player of the Year for her efforts in getting Bismarck Century volleyball its second straight state title. She had 361 digs, 357 kills, 34 blocks and 19 service aces.
All leading up to her junior basketball season, Nissley once again was crowned Gatorade State Player of the Year, giving her three since last May, and helped the Patriots get back to the state championship.
“It’s just been super exciting,” Nissley said. “I’m very grateful for all of those things…It’s just super cool to see all of my hard work starting to shine and really pay off.”
Unfortunately, the Patriots lost in the state championship to Minot State, who snapped Bismarck Century’s undefeated season and 50-game winning streak. But even in the loss, Nissley has found a positive way to look at the championship game.
“The game in general for North Dakota women’s basketball, I think it was very important,” Nissley said. “The amount of people in the Civic Center for that, the atmosphere in that game was ridiculous. It was so loud in there, so many people in that gym were watching the game.”
Nissley has played a big part in building up that excitement as many come to watch the best basketball player in the state, and one of the best athletes in the state, compete. It is a role that Nissley has welcomed. She’s familiar with it from her time watching former Bismarck Century Patriot and current Arizona Wildcat Lauren Ware go through the same thing.
“When I was little I looked up to Lauren and now to be a role model like Lauren, it’s super cool,” Nissley said. “I didn’t really realize how much of a role model I am but this year especially the amount of younger girls that have come up to me and asked me to sign shirts and bookmarks even. It’s just really cool to see how much of an impact I’m making on my community.”
It is a community she cares deeply about. That love for her community played a big role in the recruiting process. Nissley knew she wanted to play big time, high Division I level basketball but she also wanted to make sure it would be worth leaving the home she loves.
Along with the coaching staff, players, facilities and education, the feel of the community she would join was important.
“I think the biggest thing is if I’m going that far away from home, I want to feel like I’m at my second home and that’s really what Nebraska felt like to me,” Nissley said.
Nissley announced her verbal commitment to the University of Nebraska shortly after the end of the basketball season, ending a recruiting process that was both exciting and stressful.
“I feel really good about it,” Nissley said. “Obviously the process is super fun and you make really good relationships with people. It’s very beneficial for maturity and things like that but it also gets to the point where it’s a little bit stressful. Just having that weight off my shoulders and being really happy with my decision, it’s such a good feeling.”
Her decision was validated almost instantly after she tweeted about joining the Cornhuskers. Her phone as well her parents’ phones began blowing up with messages from Nebraska fans that couldn’t wait to start cheering for her once she got down to Lincoln.
“I can already feel the support,” Nissley said. “Their community as a whole is like nothing I’ve ever seen.”
It certainly has made Lincoln seem like it will be a fitting home away from home, but her commitment to Nebraska also allows her to fulfill a dream of playing Power Five basketball. Giving her a chance to continue to be a role model to the young girls that look up to her.
“I’m really excited to be one of those girls that little girls look up to and say, ‘I want to be like her when I’m older.’” Nissley said.
Nissley already has that in North Dakota but in a couple years, her audience will get a lot bigger. But until then, she still has some unfinished business at the high school level.
First she has to help the Patriots volleyball team win its eighth state title in 12 years and possibly get her second straight Gatorade Volleyball Player of the year award. Then there’s her senior season of basketball.
Nissley and the Patriots are 50-1 over the last two years and this upcoming season, the entire team has only one goal: get back to the state championship and win.
“I want my title back so I’m going to work really hard towards getting it,” Nissley said.
