The Iowa women's basketball team has been busy this offseason, undergoing a significant transformation. With a roster almost entirely revamped, Jan Jensen and her coaching staff have been on a mission to find the right pieces to elevate the program. Faced with the challenge of replacing nine players-four graduates and five transfers-Jensen's team was tasked with filling multiple gaps, and they appear to have struck gold with some of their new acquisitions.
One standout addition is Amari Whiting, a talented transfer from Oklahoma State. Whiting is no stranger to change, now joining her third team in four seasons. Despite the frequent moves, she arrives at Iowa with a readiness to contribute wherever needed and a determination to make her mark under Jensen's guidance.
Whiting's journey began at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, where she played under her mother, Amber Whiting, for two seasons. After a stint at Oklahoma State last year that didn't fully meet her expectations, Whiting entered the transfer portal once more, landing at Iowa. This time, the transition has been smoother, thanks in large part to the welcoming environment fostered by Jensen and her staff.
In her first media appearance since joining Iowa, Whiting expressed her admiration for her new teammates and the culture that Jensen has cultivated. She remarked on how much easier this transfer has been compared to her previous moves, crediting the supportive atmosphere and strong team dynamics.
The Iowa community has also made a positive impression on Whiting, reinforcing her decision to join the program. While she hasn't specified her exact role within the team, Whiting is eager to step up and lead in any capacity.
Her focus is on defense, where she takes great pride and aims to guard the opposing team's top player each night. Offensively, she is prepared to capitalize on open shots, particularly in Iowa's four-out, one-in system that features players like Ava Heiden and Layla Hays facilitating from the inside.
Whether Whiting will start or come off the bench remains to be seen, but her approach is one of adaptability and commitment to making her senior year memorable. As she embraces her new chapter with Iowa, Whiting is poised to be a key contributor to the team's success.
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This offseason, though, Heiden made a choice that says plenty about where her priorities are. Rather than spending the summer away from campus, she stayed in Iowa City to keep working with the Hawkeyes, take part in an internship and attend leadership conferences, a setup that keeps her plugged into the program and around younger teammates who can learn from her. For Iowa, that means one of its most proven players is using the summer to deepen her role in more ways than one, even as the bigger payoff from that decision is still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]