Danielle Ballard was a former LSU basketball player who died on July 13, 2023, after being hit by a car in Memphis, Tennessee. She was 29 years old. She was a standout guard for the LSU Tigers from 2012 to 2015, leading them to two consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and earning All-SEC honors in 2015. She was also a state champion in high school and a fan favorite for her energy and passion on the court. Here are some more details about her life, career, and tragic death.
Early Life and Family
Danielle Ballard was born on November 16, 1993, in Shelby County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Danny Nolen and Blanche Ballard. She had three brothers: Danny, Darian, and Daniel Nolen. She attended Memphis Central High School, where she played basketball and won a state championship in 2010. She was rated as a five-star recruit by ESPN and chose to play for LSU over other offers.
College Career and Stats
Danielle Ballard played for LSU from 2012 to 2015. She made an immediate impact as a freshman, averaging 12.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. She was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and the SEC All-Defensive Team. She also helped the Tigers reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years.
As a sophomore, she improved her numbers to 14.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. She was again named to the SEC All-Defensive Team and also earned All-SEC Second Team honors. She led the Tigers to a surprising run to the NCAA Sweet 16, where they lost to Louisville.
As a junior, she missed the first nine games of the season due to a suspension for violating team rules. She returned to the court in January 2015 and averaged 14.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. She was named to the All-SEC First Team and the SEC All-Defensive Team for the third time. She also helped the Tigers reach the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second straight year, where they lost to Florida State.
She finished her LSU career with 1,233 points (12th in school history), 697 rebounds (10th in school history), and 287 steals (3rd in school history). She also ranks among the top 10 in LSU history in assists (282), free throws made (317), and free throws attempted (467).
Professional Career and Net Worth
Danielle Ballard did not play professionally after graduating from LSU in 2015. She returned to Memphis and worked as a personal trainer and basketball coach. She also stayed involved with her alma mater and attended some LSU games as a fan.
Her net worth is not publicly known, but it is estimated that she earned around $30,000 per year as a trainer and coach.
Personal Life and Boyfriend
Danielle Ballard was engaged at the time of her death, according to her Facebook profile. However, the identity of her fiancé is not revealed. She also did not have any children.
She was active on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, where she posted pictures of herself, her family, her friends, and her basketball memories. She was known for her outgoing personality, her sense of humor, and her love for life.
Death Cause and Accident
Danielle Ballard died on July 13, 2023, after being hit by a car in Memphis, Tennessee. The accident happened around 1:30 a.m. when she was walking on Coleman Road near Raleigh Lagrange Road. According to the Memphis Police Department, she was struck by a vehicle traveling southbound in the left lane of traffic. The driver remained on the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
She was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The police did not release any details about the driver or whether any charges were filed.
Tributes and Reactions
Danielle Ballard’s death shocked and saddened many people who knew her or followed her career. Her family, friends, former teammates, coaches, and fans expressed their condolences and paid tribute to her on social media.
LSU released a statement saying that they were “deeply saddened” by her passing and that she meant “a great deal” to their program.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Danielle,” LSU said. “She meant a great deal to our program and was such a big part of our women’s basketball family. It’s difficult to understand why this happened to someone who was so full of life and had so much promise. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”
LSU coach Kim Mulkey, who was hired in April 2023, did not coach Ballard but said that she was “heartbroken” by the news.
“I am heartbroken for Danielle’s family, friends, and the LSU women’s basketball program,” Mulkey said. “I did not have the opportunity to coach Danielle, but I know how much she loved LSU and how much LSU loved her. She was a tremendous player and person who will be greatly missed.”
Former LSU coach Nikki Fargas, who coached Ballard for three seasons, said that she was “devastated” by the loss of her former player.
“I am devastated by the news of Danielle’s passing,” Fargas said. “She was a special young lady who had a huge impact on our program and everyone who knew her. She was a fierce competitor, a loyal teammate and a joy to coach. She had a bright future ahead of her and I am heartbroken that it was cut short. My prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.”
Former LSU teammate Theresa Plaisance, who played with Ballard from 2012 to 2014, said that she was “speechless” and “heartbroken” by the tragedy.
“I am speechless and heartbroken by the news of Danielle’s passing,” Plaisance said. “She was my sister, my friend, my teammate, and my family. She was one of the most talented players I ever played with and one of the most fun people I ever met. She always made me laugh and smile with her jokes and antics. She had a passion for the game and for life that was contagious. I will miss her so much and I will always cherish our memories together. Rest in peace, D-Ball.”
Many other former LSU players, such as Jeanne Kenney, Raigyne Moncrief, Jasmine Rhodes, and Rina Hill, also posted messages of love and support for Ballard and her family.
Several other basketball figures, such as WNBA players Skylar Diggins-Smith, Candace Parker, and Sylvia Fowles, also expressed their condolences and respect for Ballard.
BIO/Wiki
| Real Name | Danielle Ballard |
| In Headlines | Died in a Car Accident |
| Age | 29 years old |
| Birth Date | November 16, 1993 |
| Death Date | July 13, 2023 |
| Birth Place | Shelby County, Tennessee |
| Gender | Female |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth Sign | Scorpio |
| Parents | Father: Danny Nolen Mother: Blanche Ballard |
| Siblings | Danny Nolen Darian Nolen Daniel Nolen |
| Follow on | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilHollywoodBadassKid/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielleyballardnickolas32/ |
| Marital status | Engaged (?-2023) |
| Fiancé | — |
| Height | Height: In feet: 5′ 9″ In centimeters: 175 cm In meters: 1.75 m |
| Weight | Kg: 62 Pounds: 136 lbs |
| Appearance | Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown |
| Education | School: Memphis Central High School Alumni: Louisiana State University (LSU) |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
12 Facts About Danielle Ballard
- Danielle Ballard was born on November 16, 1993, in Shelby County, Tennessee.
- She started playing basketball at an early age and developed a passion for the sport.
- She attended Memphis Central High School, where she led the team to a state championship in 2012 and was named Tennessee Miss Basketball.
- Danielle Ballard was recruited by LSU and joined the Tigers in 2012 as a freshman.
- She made an immediate impact on the team, averaging 12.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per game and earning SEC All-Freshman honors.
- She helped the Tigers reach the NCAA Sweet 16 in both her sophomore and junior seasons, averaging double-digit points and rebounds in both tournaments.
- She was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team twice and the All-SEC First Team once in her LSU career.
- Danielle Ballard finished her LSU career with 1,072 points, 605 rebounds, 249 assists, and 238 steals in 89 games.
- She graduated from LSU in 2015 with a degree in sports administration.
- She played professionally overseas in Spain and Romania for two seasons.
- Danielle returned to Memphis in 2017 and worked as a basketball coach and mentor for young girls.
- She died on July 13, 2023, after being hit by a car in Memphis.
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