Former Lady Griz Star Malia Kipp Dies

Multiple outlets, including SWX, reported that former Lady Griz star and featured athlete in the great documentary Native Ball: Legacy of a Trailblazer Malia Kipp passed away. It was confirmed by Malia's mother Dee Ann.

We are saddened to share with you the passing of our daughter, Malia Kipp. She was a devoted daughter, granddaughter, mother, sister, niece, auntie, cousin, nurse and friend. - Dee Ann Kipp wrote on Facebook on 1/1/25

My conversations with Malia Kipp

I heard the news on New Year's Eve from a source within the University and was hurt by it. Malia and I talked a couple of times about Native Ball and Lady Griz overall, so I won't act like I knew her well, but in the times I spoke to her she was always sweet to me.

As an interviewer, you'll often get nervous subjects. People who don't like talking in front of crowds or to the masses. It happens all the time and Malia was the same way. I wrote a story on Native Ball last year and when I got Malia on the phone she mentioned to me that she was nervous about giving interviews and wanted me to inform her if she gave a bad answer. I laughed at that because she was a great interview and gave no bad answers.

READ MORE: Montana Native Wayne Estes Inducted To College Basketball Hall of Fame

Kipp was, in fact, a trailblazer in every sense of the word. The Browning native was the first Native American woman to play Division I college basketball on a full-ride in Montana. And she will be missed. Watch Native Ball on PBS.