Addie Deal Steps Into Starting Role as Iowa Faces Adversity Head-On
IOWA CITY - When Iowa takes the floor Thursday night against USC, it’ll be a homecoming of sorts for freshman guard Addie Deal. The Irvine, California native will not only be returning to Southern California - just 45 minutes from her hometown - but she’ll also be making her first career start for the eighth-ranked Hawkeyes.
Head coach Jan Jensen confirmed Tuesday that Deal is stepping into the starting lineup as Iowa (18-2 overall, 9-0 Big Ten) prepares for a key road matchup against the Trojans (11-9, 3-6). The move comes in the wake of a tough blow for the program: senior guard Taylor McCabe suffered a season-ending ACL tear on Sunday.
“Addie’s ready,” Jensen said. “She’s a hard worker, she’s got a great basketball IQ, and she’s always eager to be on the floor.”
Deal’s promotion isn’t just about filling a spot - it’s a reward for her recent impact. She’s coming off a career-high 20-point performance and has averaged 12.0 points over her last four games. Her confident, unselfish play fits seamlessly into Iowa’s offensive rhythm, and now she’ll get a chance to showcase it on a bigger stage.
“I’m confident in my abilities,” Deal said after Sunday’s win. “I love the way we play - super unselfish.”
But Deal’s rise comes amid a heartbreaking moment for McCabe and the Hawkeye program. The senior guard went down on the first play of Iowa’s 91-70 win over Ohio State in a non-contact incident. An MRI later confirmed a torn ACL in her left knee - an injury that ends not just her season, but her playing career.
“It’s the toughest thing for any coach, in any sport, at any level,” Jensen said. “Especially with someone like Taylor, who’s given her heart and soul to this program. She’s the epitome of what it means to be a Hawkeye.”
McCabe, who’s set to graduate in May with a degree in civil engineering, plans to stay close to the game. She’ll pursue a graduate assistant position in women’s basketball while working toward a postgraduate degree - a move that speaks volumes about her love for the sport and her leadership off the court.
“Adversity is part of every journey,” Jensen said. “I wish we didn’t have it, but we do, and we’ll go forward.”
Moving forward means reshuffling the rotation. Deal will now join Chit-Chat Wright and Kylie Feuerbach in the starting backcourt, with Ava Heiden and Hannah Stuelke anchoring the frontcourt. Iowa’s depth will be tested, but there’s still plenty of talent in the mix.
Journey Houston and Layla Hays will continue to provide key minutes in the frontcourt, while Taylor Stremlow will handle backup duties across the perimeter. There’s also a chance for expanded roles for freshmen Teagan Mallegni and Callie Levin - both of whom were seen getting in extra shots after Sunday’s game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
The McCabe family, meanwhile, was dealt a double dose of bad news over the weekend. Just hours after Taylor’s injury, her younger sister Peyton - a sophomore at Drake - suffered a significant ankle injury during a game in Des Moines. Their mother, Dana, was in Iowa City with Taylor, while their father, Ryan, was attending an athletic event with the family’s two younger sons.
“Taylor told her mom, ‘You have to go to Des Moines. (Peyton) is in the hospital. I’ll be OK,’” Jensen shared.
It’s been an emotional stretch for the McCabe family and the Iowa program, but there’s no question the Hawkeyes are rallying. With Deal stepping into the spotlight and a tight-knit rotation behind her, Iowa will look to keep its Big Ten momentum rolling - even as they navigate one of the toughest moments of their season.