Alabama Softball Star Switches to Play College Basketball

Abby Duchscherer will join North Dakota's basketball team after her final season with the Crimson Tide.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:39pm

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Alabama softball senior Abby Duchscherer has announced that she will transfer to the University of North Dakota and join the basketball team there after completing her fourth season with the Crimson Tide this spring. Duchscherer, a native of Kindred, N.D., cited the opportunity to return to her home state as a key reason for the move.

Why it matters

Duchscherer has been a standout player for the Alabama softball team, and her decision to switch to basketball after a successful college softball career is an unusual move. This story highlights the flexibility and versatility of some elite college athletes who can excel at multiple sports.

The details

Duchscherer was the North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020 and scored over 2,500 points in her high school basketball career, leading Kindred High School to an undefeated season and state championship as a senior. She announced in October that she would be exploring the option of playing college basketball and ultimately decided to join the University of North Dakota basketball team as a graduate student.

  • Duchscherer announced on Oct. 1 that she would be exploring the options of playing college basketball.
  • Duchscherer made the decision to play for coach Dennis Hutter at North Dakota two weeks after entering the transfer portal.

The players

Abby Duchscherer

A senior first baseman for the Alabama softball team who will transfer to the University of North Dakota to play basketball after this season.

Dennis Hutter

The head coach of the University of North Dakota basketball team, who Duchscherer cited as a key reason for her decision to transfer.

Pat Murphy

The head coach of the Alabama softball team, who Duchscherer said was heavily involved in her recruiting process to play basketball at North Dakota.

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What they’re saying

“I just wanted to go back home and play for the state of North Dakota. They've just been such a good community and support system for me throughout my whole four years here. So it means a lot to be able to go back and play one more time for them and the home state.”

— Abby Duchscherer

“He is also an amazing coach. Just talking to Murph (Pat Murphy), like throughout the recruiting process, I'd be like, 'You know what? I think Coach Hutter reminds me a lot of you.' He has, like, a lot of the same leadership and tactics, and I really like what he is going to provide to me.”

— Abby Duchscherer

“Murph had a huge involvement in the recruiting process. I think it scared him a little bit when I told him I was going when I told him I was going in the portal, and I kind of pulled the prank. I was like, 'I'm gonna go in the portal.' And he's like, 'For what?' And I was like, 'Basketball, so, yeah, just gonna finish out my last semester here.'”

— Abby Duchscherer

What’s next

Duchscherer will finish out the spring softball season with Alabama before transferring to the University of North Dakota to join the basketball team in June.

The takeaway

Duchscherer's decision to switch from softball to basketball after a successful college career highlights the versatility and flexibility of elite college athletes who can excel at multiple sports. Her move also demonstrates the importance of community and family ties in shaping an athlete's college experience and career path.