Senior Spotlight Gabi Harrington
 
Gabi Harrington is a native of Boise, Idaho, and joined the University of Idaho women's basketball team as a graduate transfer in the 2020-21 season after graduating from the University of Montana. Harrington played three seasons for the Lady Griz after graduating from Bishop Kelley High school in 2016. Harrington has played in 14 games, including 12 starts, for the Vandals this season. She has scored 235 points and totaled 93 rebounds during her time at Idaho. Harrington recorded a career-high 25 points against Idaho State earlier this season and totaled a career-high 16 rebounds on the road at Eastern Washington.  She was named the Big Sky Player of the Week after averaging 23.5 points and 11 rebounds per game. Harrington leads the Vandals in scoring, averaging 16.8 points per game to go along with 6.6 rebounds per game.

Harrington started playing basketball largely in part to the influence of her older siblings and her parents.

 "I just kind of got dragged into it," said Harrington. "I started playing when I was around three or four years old and loved it."

Harrington was a two-sport athlete at Bishop Kelly high school, competing in basketball and softball. After high school the dual-sport athlete attended Montana before transferring to Idaho for her last year of eligibility.

"Playing against Idaho over the years I just remember when we scouted them, I always loved how they played," said Harrington. "Seeing Newlee coaching, he was always so intense, and I loved that about him. Also, all my family and friends have gone here so it was kind of a no-brainer for me."

On senior day this year the Vandals are hosting Montana – Harrington's former school.

"It's going to be weird, but I'm kind of glad it's the last game of the year because I've been super excited to play them," said Harrington. "I still have a couple of friends on the team and I'm close with a coach on the team. It's going to be weird because I'm super competitive so of course I want to beat them. I'm pretty excited."

The 2020-21 season has been a challenging one, for many reasons - mainly to all the changes and protocols resulting of COVID-19 – but Harrington has been able to find success through her mental toughness.

"I think the key is you have to be mentally tough to play in this season," said Harrington. "We are getting tested and have to follow protocols. So that's been different."

Head Coach Jon Newlee on Gabi Harrington

"Gabi has really been a joy to coach this year. She works so hard every day at practice in every drill and plays with such great passion. What I really like about her is her competitiveness. She hates to lose at anything! That drive has made her into the player she has become, a big reason she is one of the top players in the Big Sky. Coming in as a graduate transfer is not easy, but I feel like Gabi's transition from a Griz to a Vandal was seamless. From the first workout I knew we had a special player and person joining our Vandal Family. She has battled through an injury plagued year to become a big impact player for us. I wish I could have had her for her entire 4-year career!"
 
Harrington is currently pursuing a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Idaho.

Harrington and the Vandals will celebrate senior day on Mar. 5, in their final regular season game of the season against Montana at 6 p.m. in Memorial Gym.