Quite simply, basketball runs in the blood of Valpo women’s basketball signee Ella Van Weelden.

Her father, Brian, was named the Peoria Journal Star Class A Boys Basketball Player of the Year in 1993 and went on to play collegiate basketball, first at Lincoln College and later for Culver-Stockton College.

Her sister, Leah, played in the IBCA All-Star Game as a senior in high school and is currently playing collegiately at Baker University.

It was only natural then that Van Weelden grew up immersed in the sport.

“Basketball has always been in my life ever since I was little,” Van Weelden said. “Along with my dad and sister playing in college, my grandpa coached basketball in my dad’s hometown for 49 years. I feel like growing up in a family that loves basketball has impacted my love for it as well.”

Having that support system in place has helped her development on the court as well.

“Being around people who know the game so well and are willing to help you pursue that passion is a great thing to have,” Van Weelden said. “My dad is always in the gym with me helping me build my game.”

That development has seen Van Weelden become one of the best players in the state of Iowa. She was a Second Team All-State honoree as a sophomore and a Third Team All-State choice last year as a junior. She has also helped her teams enjoy tremendous success as well, as Marion High School captured the Iowa 4A state championship in 2018 and followed up in 2019 with a second consecutive title game appearance.

Van Weelden’s development into a player who Valpo head coach Mary Evans called “…a highly skilled basketball player who will bring us length in our post game that will be able to stretch out opposing teams’ defenses…” led to Valpo’s interest in her, and from the beginning, Van Weelden could see herself playing for the program.

“When I first picked Valpo, one of the reasons I loved it so much was because of their style of play,” Van Weelden said. “As a versatile player, I thought I would fit in well with Coach Evans’ vision of the team. I think my best attributes are my versatility as a player and my ability to shoot the three.”

Off the court, Van Weelden will be enrolled in Valparaiso University’s College of Business.

“I just recently decided to major in marketing, and the reason I picked marketing is because marketing has a creative side of business that I am interested in pursuing,” Van Weelden said. “I also have a close friend who is in marketing, which has influenced my decision as well.”

With one more year left before joining the Valpo program, Van Weelden hopes to continue progressing on the court with her high school team this year to put herself in a position to make an impact when she steps on campus.

“The health of my team and the people around us are my top priority, but other than that, I want to have a good season where we can grow as a team and hopefully get some things done while having fun,” Van Weelden said. “My individual goals are just to be a good leader, grow as a basketball player and set some rebounding records I’m closing in on.”