Something special is happening in Iowa City these days. If you'd guessed it was football related, you'd have to think again. It's basketball. Women's Basketball to be more exact. You can feel the drama building as the National Signing Day approaches on November 12th.
Fueled by a successful off-season in landing three new recruits and two transfer portal targets, Head Coach Jan Jensen has raised optimism in Hawkeye Country for the immediate and for the future.
But now, what's next? Many think 5-star 6-2 Forward, McKenna Woliczko out of California would set the foundation. If she commits. No doubt she'd be a crown jewel to a recruiting season. Woliczko made her official visit to Iowa the last week of August. Fans have been holding their collective breath ever since for her to pick Iowa. From all reports the visit went as well as you could expect. She has listed the pros and cons of her top 4, USC, South Carolina, Ohio State and Iowa. The No. 6 overall prospect would immediately step into the shoes of Senior Hannah Stuelke. She's that good. But...
If Woliczko chooses someone other than Iowa, there are other ways they can go. # 9 rated Addison Bjorn from the Kansas City area is another possibility. Bjorn has been a frequent visitor to Iowa City. Bjorn is known for her ability to dunk. Imagine a 6-2 forward dunking on a fast break. That would certainly send Carver-Hawkeye into a frenzy. She and Lewis remain the biggest mysteries. We'll soon find out. Bjorn visits on September 27th.
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| Will Woliczko lead the charge? |
There are two other front-line players the Hawkeyes are looking at. No. 29 Emila Krstevski out of Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, California. The 6-4 post is a little bit of a surprise visitor who has set October 18th on her calendar to visit. You can never have enough size. She brings it. And then there is No. 18 Amari Byles a 6-2 Forward from Texas. She is rated No. 18 in the 2026 class. Her visit date is October 25th.
Let's add in a couple more. Gigi Battle, a top combo guard recruit visited last weekend. There's been little information that has come out from her visit. UPDATE: (Battle did not come in last weekend. There is someone in town right now. It could be her. We'll update when we know more). She's a fast riser in the class from her summer league games. The 6-0 guard from Daytona Beach, Florida would be a big-time addition. Battle has a similar game to Johnston, Iowa guard Jennica Lewis. No. 22 recruit Lewis has been on the Iowa want list for some time now. She has a visit scheduled for October 25th. I see it coming down to one or the other rather than Iowa looking to take them both. It might very well be the first player that says, "I'm in". Then again, there might be a surprise in the making with No. 50 rated Vienna Murray, a 6-1 guard out of East Ridge High School in Minnesota. Options, options, options.....
As of today, Iowa has no commits for 2026. Should that be a concern? Perhaps? That leaves 57 days as of today. Fans are getting restless. Heck, players are no doubt restless too. Jan Jensen has faith in the direction her program is going. And I for one am on board with that.
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