Shoe customizer Gabby Anderson leads Harvard to NCAA tournament

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Gabby Anderson, a Harvard University junior and member of the university’s women’s basketball program, is dynamic on and off the court. The Columbus, Ohio native and IMG Academy graduate has spent her time in Cambridge making her mark and growing her brand. More than that, she has become an integral part of the Harvard women’s basketball program and the Harvard athletics community as a whole.

“Harvard itself is so big and impactful, when I visited,” said Anderson. “I met so many incredible people who were professionals in their fields. It just felt like the right place for me.”

From her first season to the 2024-25 season, the team has never been in the tournament, marking this as the first season in decades that the Harvard University women’s team has made it to “the dance” with the current squad.

“Going into this season, we put in the work. From preseason, our mindset was set. We were going to win, and we were going to put in the time to make it happen,” said Anderson.

More than just the athlete who helped lead her team to the 2025 NCAA tournament, along with being a standout player, Anderson balances academics, sports and extracurriculars with her passion.

Beyond basketball, Anderson is also the founder of Graffiti by Gabby, an apparel customization business she launched in high school. During COVID, Graffiti by Gabby took off unexpectedly after a friend asked her to customize a pair of sneakers.

She then designed a pair of sneakers for a coach with the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream during the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement. The shoes were featured on ESPN, and from there, Anderson’s brand skyrocketed.

“The shoe customization space is very male dominated, but sports have helped open doors for me,” she said. “Being a Black woman in both basketball and art allows me to be seen in spaces where I otherwise might not have been.”

While artistry and athleticism are stunning, the junior guard from Ohio is a student first.

On campus, Anderson is deeply involved in student life. She serves as the president of Harvard’s Black Varsity Athletes, creating spaces for Black student-athletes in a predominantly white institution. She’s also a member of the Black Arts Collective, where she continues to create art outside of her business. “I love my school and being part of these communities,” she said. “They allow me to connect with others beyond basketball.”

Anderson has cultivated community on and off the court. As Harvard women’s basketball comes off a historic season, the team continues to serve as a family and a safe space for her as she continues her academic and athletic journey.

“Sports has allowed me to be fortunate enough that I do have a built-in set of family,” she said, “and so knowing that there are other people who always have my back and that they are also women — and a lot of my teammates are women of color — I never stand alone in any kind of struggle that I might be facing.”

Despite her busy schedule and impressive resume, Anderson also finds time to rest and relax. When she is not at practice, a Black student-athletes meeting, or creating with the collective, she is looking for new shows to watch on Disney+.

As she enters her senior season, she has one message: “Watch out. We’re here to play.” And with her determination and drive, there’s no doubt she’ll make an impact — on the court, through her art and beyond.