When we last saw Jan Jensen's Hawkeyes, they were making an unexpected early departure from the NCAA Tournament, bowing out in the second round. After a shaky start against Fairleigh Dickinson, Iowa couldn't shake off its shooting troubles in their second tournament game, leading to a swift exit. The aftermath saw the team lose nine players, with four graduating and five entering the transfer portal, leaving Jensen with the task of rebuilding the squad for the upcoming season.
With five players returning and six newcomers joining the ranks, Jensen's hands are full, but there's an air of optimism as summer workouts kick off.
McKenna Woliczko: A Rising Star for the Hawkeyes
Enter McKenna Woliczko, a top-tier recruit from the 2026 class, who is already making waves in the Iowa program. Jensen has been vocal about her admiration for Woliczko's rapid adaptation, describing her as a quick learner with a humble yet confident demeanor. Woliczko understands she has much to learn, but she's also aware of her versatile skill set that made her a coveted five-star prospect.
Jensen highlights her versatility as a significant asset, making her a tough matchup for opponents. Despite battling homesickness, Woliczko's commitment and mentality suggest she's poised to make a significant impact in her debut season.
Chit-Chat Wright: Stepping Up as a Leader
Among the returning players, Chit-Chat Wright has emerged as a standout. After transferring from Georgia Tech, Wright was thrust into a leadership role last season, a new experience for her.
Initially facing some uncertainty, Wright has since found her footing. Jensen praises Wright for entering the summer workouts with newfound ease, actively guiding her teammates during drills and finding her voice within the team dynamic.
While Wright might not be as vocally dominant as Taylor Stremlow, her growing confidence and leadership presence are promising signs for the Hawkeyes' future.
New Faces, New Energy
The offseason was a whirlwind for the Hawkeyes, with a roster that dwindled to just five players post-2025-2026 season. Jensen and her coaching staff worked tirelessly to rebuild, bringing in Woliczko and Ella Stromdahl from the 2026 recruiting class. They also tapped into the transfer portal, adding Dani Carnegie from Georgia, Amari Whiting from Oklahoma State, Jocelyn Faison from Georgia, and Bria Media from Knox College.
Integrating six new players is no small feat, but Jensen is optimistic. The scrimmages have been fiercely competitive, a dynamic that's resonating well with the team. While the true test will come when the season kicks off, the early signs are encouraging as the squad begins to gel.
The Hawkeyes are in a period of transition, but with the mix of returning talent and fresh faces, there's a buzz of potential in the air. As the summer progresses, all eyes will be on how this newly minted team comes together to face the challenges ahead.
In Other News...
Jan Jensen Is Closing In On A Massive Iowa Recruiting Win
Jan Jensens Iowa program has already made real noise in the recruiting cycle, headlined by the addition of five-star forward McKenna Woliczko and Ella Stromdahl in the 2026 class. Now the Hawkeyes are pushing to keep that momentum going by targeting backcourt help for the future, with multiple offers out to highly regarded players in the 2028 group as the staff looks to build out guard depth for the seasons ahead.
One of the most intriguing names in that mix is Jhaliana Guy, who recently made an unofficial visit to Iowa City and gives the Hawkeyes a chance to make an impression in a chase that has some built-in appeal for the program. Iowa has been active with her recruitment, and the fact that she fits the kind of guard target the Hawkeyes need only adds to the stakes as Jensen and her staff try to turn interest into a major win. [Read more 🡒]
Brad Underwood Is Right In The Middle Of A Big Ten Debate
Ben McCollums first year in Iowa City gave the Hawkeyes a real foothold in a Big Ten coaching conversation that only gets louder as the league keeps shifting around them. Iowa did not look like a team stuck in transition for long stretches, and the programs recent Elite Eight run under the previous staff still hangs over the way people measure what the ceiling can be if the pieces keep coming together.
Brad Underwood is part of that wider debate because Illinois has been one of the leagues standard-bearers on the offensive end, and his recruiting has kept the Illini in the mix year after year. But when the discussion turns to the coaches who have shaped the conferences hierarchy, Matt Painters staying power and roster management remain hard to ignore, which is why the rankings around these names feel less settled than ever. [Read more 🡒]
Ava Heiden Made One Big Offseason Choice Iowa Fans Need To See
Ava Heiden already arrived in Iowa City with the kind of rsum that makes a roster better the moment she steps on the floor. Last season, the post player was one of the top bigs in womens college basketball, putting up 18.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting with impressive efficiency, then backing it up with First Team All-Big Ten recognition and AP All-American Honorable Mention.
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 🡒]