Debbie Brock

Debbie Brock (born July 27, 1956) is an American former collegiate basketball player. During her tenure at Delta State University under coach Margaret Wade, she led the Lady Statesmen to three straight AIAW national titles while maintaining a 120–9 record.

Early life Brock was born on July 27, 1956, in Jackson, Mississippi to high school basketball coach James N. "Dump" Brock. At the age of nine, she did a half-time performance during her father's basketball games in which she would twirl a basketball and baton at the same time. By the time she reached seventh grade, Brock started playing basketball competitively at junior high and while attending Forest Hill High School. In 1973, Brock received the school's most valuable basketball player award (MVP) and the 1974 All-Little Dixie Conference basketball team MVP. She was also selected as an All-South Mississippi for three consecutive years and All-State during her junior season.

Collegiate career While there were limited options for women's basketball programs in college, Brock was approached by coach Margaret Wade at Delta State University to enrol at their school. Prior to her first game as a freshman, Brock was praised by her coach as being the team's smartest and quickest player in spite of standing under five feet tall. However, during the season she suffered a pinched nerve in her left knee which slowed her game throughout the year, causing her to be replaced by freshman Pam Piazza. In spite of this, Brock received DSU's Best Defensive Player Award and Best Freethrow Award at the conclusion of her freshman season.

In her sophomore year, Brock helped lead the Lady Statesmen to their second consecutive AIAW national title. During the opening game of the tournament, Brock scored 19-of-21 free throws to lead the team to an overtime win over Federal City. Following this, she helped the team overcome a deficit by recording 17 points, including eight free throws in the last three minutes, to beat Immaculata College in the Finals. Coach Wade stated that "Brock saved us" As a result, she was voted Most Valuable Player of the tournament

During the 1976–1977 season, Brock continued her defensive game while leading the team to their third straight AIAW National Tournament with a 27–3 record. She averaged 7.6 points and rebounds a game while also leading the team in freethrows with 84.4 percent.

At the conclusion of her senior year, Brock led the Lady Statesmen to three straight AIAW national titles while maintaining a 120–9 record. She recorded a total of 903 career points and 474 assists, ranking 9th overall in DSU history, and was honored by DSU with the retirement of her jersey number. Brock also became the fourth straight Lady Statesmen to be named to the Kodak All-America basketball team. Upon graduating with a degree in childhood education, Brock began coaching at Monterey High School, although she originally had no intention of coaching after college.

Honors and awards post college In 1988, Brock was inducted into the Delta State Sports Hall of Fame alongside three of her teammates from the 1975–77 national championship Lady Statesmen teams. In 2013, Brock was recognized as an Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Great Player at the NCAA Division 1 Women's Final Four.