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anon_salmfilsntd0b
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~UPDATED AUG 23, 2023~
ESPN has expanded its Top 60 list for 2024 to 100. 3 of our 4 commits made the cut.
Our likely final targets for the 2024 class are:
The Top 60 for 2025 has also been announced and our targets are well-represented:
Finally, ESPN has also released the Top 25 for 2026. Our targets include:
Bottom Line
ESPN rankings aren't the be-all end-all. Here are some examples of glaring inconsistencies that have to give any Iowa fan pause:
Looking at their rankings alone, Bluder has assembled quite a group of kids to take the helm after the Clark show departs, starting with our solid class of 2022, in which all 3 signees appeared in the Top 100. A starting line up that includes Stremlow, Mallegni, Houston and Heiden would be formidable and likely win a lot of games.
If Bluder is able to land Guyton, or (better yet) one of the target Ws/Fs from 2025 (like Speiser or Deal) to round out a starting 5...Iowa will continue to be very competitive.
ESPN has expanded its Top 60 list for 2024 to 100. 3 of our 4 commits made the cut.
- C Ava Heiden - #32
- G Taegan Mallegni - #62
- G Taylor Stremlow - #72
Our likely final targets for the 2024 class are:
- PG Britt Prince of Lincoln, NE -- #25. She has been rather silent on her top choices -- I'd be surprised if we're really in the running TBH, she seems to want to play for an elite brand i.e., UCLA, Oregon, UConn. And of course UNL is throwing the kitchen sink at her -- her decision may determine the fate of coach Amy Williams one way or another.
- G Aaliyah Guyton, Peoria IL -- #60 . Her top 5 are Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Pitt and MSU as of June -- she plans to make a decision in Sept. Iowa is by far the best program courting her, but Nebraska is going hard for her, while her home school of Illinois is likely a strong contender.
- PG Olivia Olsen (Mich) - #8
- W Kendall Dudley (UCLA) - #12
- G Avery Cain (UCLA) - #19
- PG Kyndal Walker (MD) - #30
- G W Berry Wallace (Ill) - #33
- Rian Foriestier (USC) - #44
- PG Xamiya Watson (NW) - #53
- PG Jordyn Poole (Purdue) - #54
- Ava McKennie (MD) - #97
- After it’s strongest season in decades, the B1G will continue to become more and competitive, especially once UCLA and USC arrive.
- There's no reason we shouldn't have the most dominant center in the B1G once Heiden gets into a groove, with some solid shooters alongside her.
- If Bluder can land Prince or Guyton, 2024 would be her best recruiting class ever IMO.
2025
The Top 60 for 2025 has also been announced and our targets are well-represented:
- W Jasmine Davidson, OR - #2
- G Darianna Alexander, OH - #4
- W Addison Deal, CA - #12
- F Brynn McGaughy, WA - #15
- W Jordan Speiser, MO - #17
- G Bella Hines, MO - #23
- F Jaliyah Davis, KS - #27
- W Taliyah Henderson, AZ - #33
- G Divine Bourrage, Davenport - #34
- G Makena Christian, WI - #38
- C Avery Gordon, IN - #44
- As of 8/22/23, Bluder landed her highest-ranked commit since Clark (and I think 3rd highest of all time): G/SF Journey Houston of Davenport - #19 (!!!). This commitment is especially exciting b/c we really need an athletic W/F after signing such a point/guard-heavy class of 2024.
- We seem to be in best standing with Speiser after her positive visits to campus.
- Hines recently mentioned in an interview that Iowa was one of her top 2 programs...but she hadn't even visited yet lol. This speaks volumes as to the exposure afforded by this year's post-season success.
- Deal's brother plays basketball with Bluder's son at Grinnell and she also reportedly loved her visit to campus, in which she got to "fangirl" out over meeting Clark and Czinano. She also seems to engage with all of the 2024 recruits on Instagram, including Callie Levin, the least high-profile of the class.
- Bourrage is the teammate of Iowa commit Houston...but one user here says he is famliar with her thought process and she hopes to play out of state. Her recent move to an Illinois AAU team isn't surprising in that regard.
2026
Finally, ESPN has also released the Top 25 for 2026. Our targets include:
- C Olivia Vukosa, NY - #2
- G Trinity Jones, IL - #6
- G Addison Bjorn, MO - #8
- PG Maddyn Greenway, MN - #15
- G Jenica Lewis, IA - #24
Bottom Line
ESPN rankings aren't the be-all end-all. Here are some examples of glaring inconsistencies that have to give any Iowa fan pause:
- Rising junior AJ Edigar was a Top 50 recruit but barely had any meaningful minutes her first two years. She seems unlikely to crack the starting rotation this year as well.
- Sydney Affolter was not a Top 100 recruit but she has proven she has the athleticism and skills to not only be productive on both sides of the floor but quite frankly elevate the game of our entire team.
- Monika Czinano was not a Top 100 recruit either...but she bought into Bluder's system and put in the reps to become the most efficient player in America 3 seasons in a row.
Looking at their rankings alone, Bluder has assembled quite a group of kids to take the helm after the Clark show departs, starting with our solid class of 2022, in which all 3 signees appeared in the Top 100. A starting line up that includes Stremlow, Mallegni, Houston and Heiden would be formidable and likely win a lot of games.
If Bluder is able to land Guyton, or (better yet) one of the target Ws/Fs from 2025 (like Speiser or Deal) to round out a starting 5...Iowa will continue to be very competitive.
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