A 6-5 post! Finally. Very, very good news indeed.
Iowa WBB 2025 Recruiting Thread
- Thread starter BraydonRoberts5
- Start date
This recruiting is shaping up nicely. Let's add us some Greenway or Jenica Lewis....
Some nice quotes:
The 6-4 center from Wasilla, Alaska chose the Hawkeyes over Nebraska and Washington.
"Since the first time I came here, I had a connection with the coaches and they believed in me," Hays told 247Sports. "I knew I was going to go far away for college since Alaska is far from everywhere, so my biggest thing when looking at a college was finding a family. I connected so well with everyone at Iowa."
"I just knew Iowa was the place for me. I had a feeling in my heart when I first got here," she continued. "The other schools were all amazing, but something in my heart told me that this is where I need to go."
Hays also cited the fan support surrounding the program as a factor in her decision.
"I'm so excited and playing in front of this fanbase played a pretty big role in my decision," she said. "Seeing the support system here is amazing. I'm blessed to be considered and even be offered by them."
"We spoke about how they want to use me," she said. "Coming in, AJ (Ediger) and Addi (O'Grady) will both graduate. So, hopefully, I can fill one of those spots."
247Sports director of scouting Brandon Clay:
"Hays has elite size in the interior. She is a consistent factor with her rebounding, especially in her area. Hays' ability to finish at the rim and then protect it on the other end sets her apart from most of her peers nationally. Very few players possess her size and physical gifts at this stage. Hays should be able to provide quality minutes similar to what Addison O'Grady has done for Iowa. As Hays continues to add more lateral mobility to her game, expect even more production as a result."
247sports.com
The 6-4 center from Wasilla, Alaska chose the Hawkeyes over Nebraska and Washington.
"Since the first time I came here, I had a connection with the coaches and they believed in me," Hays told 247Sports. "I knew I was going to go far away for college since Alaska is far from everywhere, so my biggest thing when looking at a college was finding a family. I connected so well with everyone at Iowa."
"I just knew Iowa was the place for me. I had a feeling in my heart when I first got here," she continued. "The other schools were all amazing, but something in my heart told me that this is where I need to go."
Hays also cited the fan support surrounding the program as a factor in her decision.
"I'm so excited and playing in front of this fanbase played a pretty big role in my decision," she said. "Seeing the support system here is amazing. I'm blessed to be considered and even be offered by them."
"We spoke about how they want to use me," she said. "Coming in, AJ (Ediger) and Addi (O'Grady) will both graduate. So, hopefully, I can fill one of those spots."
247Sports director of scouting Brandon Clay:
"Hays has elite size in the interior. She is a consistent factor with her rebounding, especially in her area. Hays' ability to finish at the rim and then protect it on the other end sets her apart from most of her peers nationally. Very few players possess her size and physical gifts at this stage. Hays should be able to provide quality minutes similar to what Addison O'Grady has done for Iowa. As Hays continues to add more lateral mobility to her game, expect even more production as a result."
2025 top 75 center Layla Hays commits to Iowa
Hays picks Iowa over Nebraska and Washington.
247sports.com
Let's face it. This is the result of:
* The Caitlin Clark effect
* Playing in the last 2 National Championship games
* Lisa & Jan being real people and creating a program that really is a family
* The Caitlin Clark effect
* Playing in the last 2 National Championship games
* Lisa & Jan being real people and creating a program that really is a family
McKenna...Manuella....it's could be your family too. Today seems like a great day to join us!
As i said with Hays and Heiden we'll formidable in the post for many years. If Jan signs one of those 2 highly rated forwards that visited to go with the guards they have coming in, look out....
Having an aunt that played for Lisa had to help as well.
Welcome to Iowa Layla. Glad it feels like Home!
Outstanding Offers
2025 Targets
Manuella Alves, 6-3 F, Central Pointe Christian Academy (Kissimmee, FL) / hometown: São Paulo, Brazil [offered August 2024]Jaliya Davis, 6-2 F/C, Blue Valley North HS (Overland Park, KS) [offered April 2023]
Kendall McGee, 5-9 PG, Benilde St. Margaret’s HS (St. Louis Park, MN) [offered September 2022]
3 open spots but only Alves has show recent interest I believe.
Do we leave 3 spots open for possible transfers to balance the classes or take on a 4th 2025(Alves). Then maybe add a junior transfer to balance classes a little.
Iowa has their toes in a bunch of 2026 prospects and it’ll be Jan’s first full recruiting class. If Iowa can hit 2026 successfully it’ll set the stage to have a chance to hang around the elites and I feel/hope the younger generation of recruits will be interested in the Clark/Iowa mystique just got to hit the next couple classes!!
Mallegni is listed 6'1 on the official Iowa site. Looked the part yesterday at the downtown festivities.
It is pretty cool mckenna’s family of four flew in with there $$$ the have an unofficial visit. She is really really a baller
Must be a typo.. when you click on her profile for that site it lists her at 6’1.
Some nice quotes:
The 6-4 center from Wasilla, Alaska chose the Hawkeyes over Nebraska and Washington.
"Since the first time I came here, I had a connection with the coaches and they believed in me," Hays told 247Sports. "I knew I was going to go far away for college since Alaska is far from everywhere, so my biggest thing when looking at a college was finding a family. I connected so well with everyone at Iowa."
"I just knew Iowa was the place for me. I had a feeling in my heart when I first got here," she continued. "The other schools were all amazing, but something in my heart told me that this is where I need to go."
Hays also cited the fan support surrounding the program as a factor in her decision.
"I'm so excited and playing in front of this fanbase played a pretty big role in my decision," she said. "Seeing the support system here is amazing. I'm blessed to be considered and even be offered by them."
"We spoke about how they want to use me," she said. "Coming in, AJ (Ediger) and Addi (O'Grady) will both graduate. So, hopefully, I can fill one of those spots."
247Sports director of scouting Brandon Clay:
"Hays has elite size in the interior. She is a consistent factor with her rebounding, especially in her area. Hays' ability to finish at the rim and then protect it on the other end sets her apart from most of her peers nationally. Very few players possess her size and physical gifts at this stage. Hays should be able to provide quality minutes similar to what Addison O'Grady has done for Iowa. As Hays continues to add more lateral mobility to her game, expect even more production as a result."
2025 top 75 center Layla Hays commits to Iowa
Hays picks Iowa over Nebraska and Washington.
Lots of info posted about the McKenna and family visit, and obviously the Layla commit. Any info about Alves-Fernandez and how her visit went?
Maybe I just haven't watched enough recruits videos but Hays's ability to move unlike anyone else her size is wild to watch. I initially thought she was 5'10". And McKenna's highlights, my goodness.....😳. If we can get her and MFA, combined with the absolute blessing of getting Deal, we're an Elite 8 team for the sustainable future, and forgive me for leaving off the phenomenal recruits that have already landed on campus, they're going to be just as much a factor as who we're attempting to bring in. I cant wait to watch this all I unfold.Some nice quotes:
The 6-4 center from Wasilla, Alaska chose the Hawkeyes over Nebraska and Washington.
"Since the first time I came here, I had a connection with the coaches and they believed in me," Hays told 247Sports. "I knew I was going to go far away for college since Alaska is far from everywhere, so my biggest thing when looking at a college was finding a family. I connected so well with everyone at Iowa."
"I just knew Iowa was the place for me. I had a feeling in my heart when I first got here," she continued. "The other schools were all amazing, but something in my heart told me that this is where I need to go."
Hays also cited the fan support surrounding the program as a factor in her decision.
"I'm so excited and playing in front of this fanbase played a pretty big role in my decision," she said. "Seeing the support system here is amazing. I'm blessed to be considered and even be offered by them."
"We spoke about how they want to use me," she said. "Coming in, AJ (Ediger) and Addi (O'Grady) will both graduate. So, hopefully, I can fill one of those spots."
247Sports director of scouting Brandon Clay:
"Hays has elite size in the interior. She is a consistent factor with her rebounding, especially in her area. Hays' ability to finish at the rim and then protect it on the other end sets her apart from most of her peers nationally. Very few players possess her size and physical gifts at this stage. Hays should be able to provide quality minutes similar to what Addison O'Grady has done for Iowa. As Hays continues to add more lateral mobility to her game, expect even more production as a result."
2025 top 75 center Layla Hays commits to Iowa
Hays picks Iowa over Nebraska and Washington.
I don't follow recruiting as I should, but I did check out Layla last spring. In interview after interview she streesed that even if she went to Washington, she was going to be far from home. She was looking for a program that would be a family too. I knew then that Iowa fit that bill. I'm very happy for Layla and her family that she choose well. It's a cliche, but what a perfect fit.
I know most of the attention goes to 5 star recruits, but I am actually surprised at the lack of articles or enthusiasm for Hays. The biggest issue the Hawkeyes have had for the last 2 decades was lack of height and girth on the low block, and then secondly depth. Hayes has the potential to be a very good to elite center. Now we will have 2 centers with exceptional height and skills in Heiden and Hays. I have no doubt we can continue to find guards and forwards, but this was a key in my opinion to continued success.
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I wholeheartedly agree and with Iowa's ability to develop post players this was a near perfect pick for the Hawks and a great career choice for Layla. I'm already imagining the matchup with Crooks in a couple years.
Crooks struggles with taller players that can move, add 2 players that can challenge her up and down the court and it will be a struggle for her. She is an elite player, still think she could have been valuable, but I would rather have Hays and Heiden.
Crooks needs multiple breaks in faster pace games.
She's good, no doubt, but Iowa might be able to neutralize her playing a fast pace.
One other random opinion...if Iowa had $$$ for Olsen, they should have $$$ for at least one, top portal player every season.
Hays is a great recruit and could be a difference maker from the program, but this type of recruit has been par for the course for the Iowa women's program for the past fifteen years. For example, she is a lower ranked recruit than Addy O'Grady was.
FWIW, O'Grady was ranked # 92 by ESPN, the 8th best post. At present, Hays is ranked # 68 by ESPN, the 2nd best post.
Thanks. I stand corrected.FWIW, O'Grady was ranked # 92 by ESPN, the 8th best post. At present, Hays is ranked # 68 by ESPN, the 2nd best post.
She has much more agility and quickness than O'grady. The biggest issue with O'grady is the lack of aggressiveness, she is 6'3 to 6'4" but doesn't play like a player of that size. Rankings are not everything, but all things being equal if you had O'grady coming out in the same here as Heiden and Hays, I truly think O'grady would be the lowest ranked of the 3. We have been running with Centers that are 6'3" or shorter for the last 10 years. Czinano, Stuelke, Gustafson.
I'm curious how well Alaska basketball is regarded, and if that could have swayed opinions on Hays recruitment. Maybe she just wasn't known well enough for scouts to get a complete feel for her game. Encouraged by her volleyball highlights, which indicate a necessary athleticism and coordination off her feet.
The question marks for both Heiden and Hays will involve the attitude and chip necessary to compete under the hoop ---which is perhaps what is still needed from AOG to elevate her game. Stuelke has found some of that, and why she has done well filling the role. If Heiden or Hays prove to have some competitive bark, that will go a long way toward the team's success.
The question marks for both Heiden and Hays will involve the attitude and chip necessary to compete under the hoop ---which is perhaps what is still needed from AOG to elevate her game. Stuelke has found some of that, and why she has done well filling the role. If Heiden or Hays prove to have some competitive bark, that will go a long way toward the team's success.
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She hasn't gotten quite the exposure she would have gotten in the lower 48, but I think she has played in some tournaments. If I recall she was in one, which basically put her on the map. Then you look at her hudl tapes, probably better competition than Crooks saw. You have to understand what will be able to translate to college, most of Hays game will translate, quick feet, willing to use the body to rebound, and doesn't move like a 6'3 or 6'4" player. She plays vollyball also, go check the hudl tapes, would say has increased her hops and agility and short area quickness. Her post moves, she looked similar Czinano in my opinion.
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