Iowa WBB 2025 Recruiting Thread
- Thread starter BraydonRoberts5
- Start date
Any info on how she is leaning? I assume if it was Iowa there would have been some chatter..
ESPN has another revision to its HoopGurlz recruiting rankings. Addie Deal moves up to 18 from 22, Layla Hays moves down to 70 from 68, and Journey Houston holds steady at 85. Good to see the move by Deal. Players in the teens generally are selected as McDonald's AA, but it gets harder to make the 24-player team when you get into the 20s, which is where surprises tend to occur.
I'm hoping the recent 2025 commit by PF Cearah Parchment (ESPN #40) may hurt them for PF Manuella Alves-Fernandaz (ESPN #61). But, you may be right.
Wonder if SkimMilkey has a projection on her yet? I don't have an account on X to get his latest post.
x.com
twitter.com
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As always I'm going to ask because I always see these posts and never know where that comes from. Did we offer Olsen swarm money? My understanding was all the gals got 10-12K. I didn't think the swarm had much more available cash lying around.
Agree totally. AOG has shown the last coupe of years that she is capable but not consistent. Both Lisa and Jan talked about that late last year that the biggest issue for the team going into tournament play was that between AOG, Goodman, and AJE, no one had stepped up to take that starting spot by their consistent play. Thats really an issue when your talking about three 4th year players.....
I have no idea, but besides Swarm, I think there are separate revenue sources available to team members.
As an example, Elite Resorts(Riverside) has promos.
Last year, Gabby had one. This year, it's Affolter and Steulke.
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Four-star forward Manuella Alves-Fernandez commits to Illinois
Four-star forward Manuella Alves-Fernandez commits to Illinois
Manuella Alves-Fernandez commits to Illinois.
247sports.com
Manuella choice is a disappointment. However, time will tell. Down the line, we will know WHO takes that scholarship and will be able to decide if her choice was in the best interest of the Hawkeye program-- is the open scholarship going to a better contributor somewhere down the road. A filled scholarship excludes another eventually... time will tell. Thank you Deal, Hayes and Houston for joining the Hawkeye program.
Wasilla’s 6-foot-5 sophomore Layla Hays looms large as the next big thing from Alaska
The Alaska Sports Report provides in-depth daily coverage of Alaska athletes.
alaskasportsreport.com
Iowa women's basketball lands 2025 prospect Layla Hays, first for Jan Jensen's Hawkeyes
Jan Jensen has her first commit as Iowa women's basketball head coach. 2025 recruit Layla Hays will join the Hawkeyes.
www.hawkcentral.com
Layla Hays Highlights:
Layla Hays on Hudl
Watch Layla Hays's videos and highlights on Hudl. More info: Wasilla High School - Wasilla Girls Varsity Basketball / C / Class of 2025 / Wasilla, AK
www.hudl.com
Current Player Rankings:
ASGR: #24
Prospect Nation: #51
JR All Star: #49
ESPN: #70
247Sports: #62
Highest Site Ranking: #21
Barring anything surprising that caps off the 2025 class.
We have 3 openings unless Feuerbach takes her Covid year. Will Iowa look for a transfer this offseason to join Kennise Johnson in the 2027 graduating class?
Currently 3 open scholarships next year.
6 in the 2026 recruiting class.
7 in 2027 recruiting class.
I guess we try to bring in a transfer and attempt to bring in 4 for 26. Then have 2-3 for 27. Obviously no guarantees transfers and injuries can change things.
We have 3 openings unless Feuerbach takes her Covid year. Will Iowa look for a transfer this offseason to join Kennise Johnson in the 2027 graduating class?
Currently 3 open scholarships next year.
6 in the 2026 recruiting class.
7 in 2027 recruiting class.
I guess we try to bring in a transfer and attempt to bring in 4 for 26. Then have 2-3 for 27. Obviously no guarantees transfers and injuries can change things.
Our clear need, next year and for 2026 is a couple of talented 3/4 players with decent size. We really don't even have a good backup for Hannah this year. We've swung and missed a few times. But let's not ignore possible transfer portal players. Iowa would be an attractive option.
We do have a good backup for Hannah. Her name is Teagan Meleigni. (sp)
Yes, ideally you want height. However, it didn't hurt us to make the Natty the last two years with McKenna and Kate at 4. Kate and Sydney at the 3. Yes, I realize CC opens the floor. However, I believe we have several more 3-pointer player options for kick-outs when Lucy drives for her middy and a double team comes or Lucy's craftiness can do it on her own if no double team. The thing I like about Teagan is she hit a couple 3s 12"+ behind the line where McCabe hugs the line more.
4 Position:
'22-'23 McKenna Warnock was 6'1".
2022-23 Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Starting Lineups | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Check out the detailed 2022-23 Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Lineups for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
www.sports-reference.com
'23-'24 Kate Martin was 6'.
2023-24 Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Starting Lineups | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Check out the detailed 2023-24 Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Lineups for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
www.sports-reference.com
'24-'25 Hannah Stuelke is 6'2"
'24-'25 Teagan Mallegni is 6'1". Seems to fit the McKenna and Kate role.
'24-'25 Kylie Feuerbach is 6' and same as Kate.
3 Position:
'22-'23 Kate Martin was 6'.
2022-23 Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Starting Lineups | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Check out the detailed 2022-23 Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Lineups for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
www.sports-reference.com
'23-'24 Sydney Affolter is 5'11".
2023-24 Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Starting Lineups | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Check out the detailed 2023-24 Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Lineups for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
www.sports-reference.com
'24-'25 Sydney Affolter is 5'11"
'24-'25 Teagan Mallegni is 6'1". Seems to fit the Sydney role when Hannah is at 4 position.
'24-'25 Kylie Feuerbach is 6' and same as Kate. Seems to fit the Sydney role when Mallegni is at 4 position.
Jada Gyamfi at 6'3" has not been productive yet to take down either role as backup. I think Teagan has passed her already.
Teagan Mallegni seems fearless so far. I wouldn't count out her or Kylie as at least serviceable to good backups for both positions when compared to the last two years.
Also, iirc, Kylie roomed with CC. Kylie might have put too much pressure on herself not to fail and feel CCs wrath living with her. I think that Kylie is now out from under that, she might just play more lose and hopefully hit more 3s this year.
2025 Journey Houston looks closer to 6"1" now where she is mostly listed as 5"11". She looks taller then Addie Deal at 6'. Which should help her move up a position or two if needed.
I'm not disagreeing. We need all the height we can get. Thinking we have the minimum needed to cover them now, but enhancing the height of 3/4 would be more encouraging if we can get it.
Maybe I'm missing your point here or what are your concerns that these players don't meet the "good backup" role?
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Hawkbuck,
Can I pick your brain on Journey Houston and her major rankings descent. I picked out some places where it stated her ranking at various times. She seemed to drop after committing to the Hawkeyes from #19 to #35. Then she got her injury and was still ranked #36 on 3/16/24. Fast forward to today and she is ranked around the 80ish mark.
2 questions:
1) Do you have any understanding besides the injury on how she dropped so much?
2) Do you expect Journey to recover a major portion of her higher rankings when she starts playing again? Hopefully she has started to play again after her 5-month recovery period and you have some insight into her game today.
TIA
Rankings Timeline:
6/9/23 - #19 - https://iowa.rivals.com/news/iowa-wbb-class-of-2025-top-targets
8/22/23 - #19 - Iowa Commit - https://iowa.rivals.com/news/commit-iowa-wbb-adds-top-20-recruit-journey-houston
9/25/23 - #35 (post #1723) - https://iowa.forums.rivals.com/threads/new-iowa-womens-basketball-recruiting-thread.397491/page-44
1/26/24 - Knee Injury -
2/9/24 - 5-Month Recovery - https://orthopedics.medicine.uiowa.edu/news/2024/02/houston-facing-surgery-5-month-recovery
3/16/24 - #36 - https://hawkeyeswire.usatoday.com/l...g-roster-talent-2024-2025-recruiting-classes/
10/22/24 - #91 to #79 - https://247sports.com/playersport/j...rth-333095/recruitrankhistory/?history=top247
10/22/24 - #84 - https://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/rankings/_/class/2025
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Hawks have a lot of interest in 2026 at guard and PF
Harpring is visiting, Lewis has visited multiple times, Kussow is very interested in tge Hawks, in addition to Greenway. Need at least one PG.
At PF we have interest from Woliczko (final 12) will be a tough get but seems really interested, Byles, Ragone, and Koupal have all visited, not sure their level of interest. Really need at least one, two would be great.
Harpring is visiting, Lewis has visited multiple times, Kussow is very interested in tge Hawks, in addition to Greenway. Need at least one PG.
At PF we have interest from Woliczko (final 12) will be a tough get but seems really interested, Byles, Ragone, and Koupal have all visited, not sure their level of interest. Really need at least one, two would be great.
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Yes, ideally you want height. However, it didn't hurt us to make the Natty the last two years with McKenna and Kate at 4. Kate and Sydney at the 3. Yes, I realize CC opens the floor. However, I believe we have several more 3-pointer player options for kick-outs when Lucy drives for her middy and a double team comes or Lucy's craftiness can do it on her own if no double team. The thing I like about Teagan is she hit a couple 3s 12"+ behind the line where McCabe hugs the line more.
4 Position:
'22-'23 McKenna Warnock was 6'1".
2022-23 Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Starting Lineups | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Check out the detailed 2022-23 Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Lineups for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
'23-'24 Kate Martin was 6'.
2023-24 Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Starting Lineups | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Check out the detailed 2023-24 Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Lineups for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
'24-'25 Hannah Stuelke is 6'2"
'24-'25 Teagan Mallegni is 6'1". Seems to fit the McKenna and Kate role.
'24-'25 Kylie Feuerbach is 6' and same as Kate.
3 Position:
'22-'23 Kate Martin was 6'.
2022-23 Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Starting Lineups | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Check out the detailed 2022-23 Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Lineups for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
'23-'24 Sydney Affolter is 5'11".
2023-24 Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Starting Lineups | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Check out the detailed 2023-24 Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Lineups for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
'24-'25 Sydney Affolter is 5'11"
'24-'25 Teagan Mallegni is 6'1". Seems to fit the Sydney role when Hannah is at 4 position.
'24-'25 Kylie Feuerbach is 6' and same as Kate. Seems to fit the Sydney role when Mallegni is at 4 position.
Jada Gyamfi at 6'3" has not been productive yet to take down either role as backup. I think Teagan has passed her already.
Teagan Mallegni seems fearless so far. I wouldn't count out her or Kylie as at least serviceable to good backups for both positions when compared to the last two years.
Also, iirc, Kylie roomed with CC. Kylie might have put too much pressure on herself not to fail and feel CCs wrath living with her. I think that Kylie is now out from under that, she might just play more lose and hopefully hit more 3s this year.
2025 Journey Houston looks closer to 6"1" now where she is mostly listed as 5"11". She looks taller then Addie Deal at 6'. Which should help her move up a position or two if needed.
I'm not disagreeing. We need all the height we can get. Thinking we have the minimum needed to cover them now, but enhancing the height of 3/4 would be more encouraging if we can get it.
Maybe I'm missing your point here or what are your concerns that these players don't meet the "good backup" role?
I would like to hear more about CC's wrath on Kylie F.
You're missing understanding it a bit of what I meant.
"Kylie might have put too much pressure on herself not to fail and feel CCs wrath living with her."
If you're living with someone and they say something, say about AOG, Goodman or anyone else on the team about messing up over and over again, and it runs through your mind (Kylie) that hey if I (Kylie) wasn't here in this room with CC, she could be saying that about me (Kylie) as well.
This is where Kylie "might" have put too much pressure on herself "not to fail" and feel [the potential of] CCs wrath. Meaning in the back of her mind she needs to play certain way to STAY AWAY from the possibility of feeling CCs wrath. Maybe wrath is too strong of word for you? An embellishment of this type of situation would be called Kylie is walking on egg shells. To mitigate the situation, you watch your step around this person. This can happen when living in close quarters with someone else for many months at a time. I'm not saying this "possible" situation came to this degree of "possible" pressure. I'm just saying there's a possibility because of CCs propensity to lash out for undesirable situations. My take is that no one is immune to that. When you're living with someone, you want to sleep well at night, so you adjust accordingly.
Correct! She got 1 year extra for the injury + 1 year extra for covid. She's a 2020 grad so it gets her out to the end of '26 if she wants it.
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You could have a point here. I also think it could have more to do with the fact that up until last year Kylie sat out 2 seasons due to being a transfer and then tearing her ACL. This and the fact that last season she rarely was in any game long enough to get in any type of rhythm may be why we’re hopefully seeing her take a bigger step forward this year. Having a little longer leash where she’s playing without the fear of being yanked may be helping her play a bit more loose.
Sounds like you're right on that. According to this, Kylie got 2 starts in '21-'22 season.
www.sports-reference.com
2021-22 Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Starting Lineups | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Check out the detailed 2021-22 Iowa Hawkeyes Starting Lineups for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
www.sports-reference.com
You may have seen this today. However, don't be discouraged. Lurking under the hood of this list is another great recruiting class for us.
No. 6 F Grace Knox
No. 12 PG Divine Bourrage
No. 13 G ZaKiyah Johnson
No. 30 G Isabella Hines
2. North Carolina Tar Heels
No. 20 W Nyla Brooks
No. 23 W Taliyah Henderson
No. 76 G Taisa Queiroz
3. Stanford Cardinal
No. 9 PG Hailee Swain
No. 31 F Alexandra Eschmeyer
No. 84 F Nora Ezike
W Carly Amborn (unranked)
4. UConn Huskies
No. 27 PG Kelis Fisher
No. 73 P Gandy Malou-Mamel
W Blanca Quiñonez (Ecuador)
5. Miami Hurricanes
No. 36 G Camille Williams
No. 54 G Danielle Osho
No. 79 F Natalie Wetzel
No. 93 G Meredith Tippner
Four-star W Emmanuella "Somo" Okolo (unranked)
6. Kansas State Wildcats
No. 10 G Jordan Speiser
No. 46 G Aniya Foy
Unranked PG Gina Garcia Safont (Spain)
7. Illinois Fighting Illini
No. 25 PG Destiny Jackson
No. 40 F Cearah Parchment
No. 61 F Manuella Alves-Fernandez
Unranked G Erica Finney (Australia)
8. Mississippi State Bulldogs
No. 38 G Jaylah Lampley
No. 39 F Madison Francis
No. 95 F Nataliyah Gray
9. Washington Huskies
No. 21 F Brynn McGaughy
No. 68 G Brynleigh Martin
No. 71 W Nina Cain
10. Alabama Crimson Tide
No. 51 F Lourdes Da Silva Costa
No. 55 PG Ace Austin
No. 94 G Tianna Chambers
No. 97 F Joy Egbuna
"Also considered: Michigan Wolverines, Iowa Hawkeyes, Creighton Bluejays"
www.espn.com
We didn't make the list above, but I think we should have. Believe we should be listed anywhere from #3 to #6.
#?. Iowa Hawkeyes (Using the Composite Score Rankings)
#13 Addie Deal
#46 Layla Hays
#48 Journey Houston (I'm awaiting a reply from @hawkbuck70 on what he thinks of Journey's major rankings drop)
Journey Houston was #19 when she committed to Iowa. Got injured and then went into a rankings tailspin for some unknown reason. If hawkbuck finds no reason for her to drop this much, then I think our ranking could even higher. Meaning we might have a case for #2 on this list above. Everyone of our 3 players would rank above the corresponding position of UNC recruits. No matter how you look at it, we have another top rated class.
I have documented Journey's ratings history here:
iowa.forums.rivals.com
Posted the composite scores on our three 2025 recruits here:
iowa.forums.rivals.com
This is 2 major recruiting classes in a row for the Hawks.
2024 - Iowa #13 Final Recruiting Class
Look at Kentucky. How did they get ahead of us? Georgia Tech is suspect as well. I'd say #11 is a better final rating for the class of 2024.
www.espn.com
The future is still looking up for us!
EDIT:
I thought I'd give you a taste of the best case scenario for the class of 2025 just to see the possibility of it and the links to their highest rankings.
#2. Iowa Hawkeyes (Using Highest Rankings by all 2025 Ranking Sites)
#2 Addie Deal https://247sports.com/playersport/addie-deal-at-mater-dei-325956/recruitrankhistory/?history=top247
#19 Journey Houston https://iowa.rivals.com/news/iowa-wbb-class-of-2025-top-targets
#21 Layla Hays https://iowa.forums.rivals.com/threads/iowa-womens-basketball-star-ranking.440731/post-12030353
That post was by Shikreto where he said he'd be shocked if Hays isn’t closer to #20 than #100.
Again, it isn't that far-fetched to give us a #2 rated 2025 class or close to it.
2025 NCAA women's basketball recruiting: Early top-10 classes
1. LSU TigersNo. 6 F Grace Knox
No. 12 PG Divine Bourrage
No. 13 G ZaKiyah Johnson
No. 30 G Isabella Hines
2. North Carolina Tar Heels
No. 20 W Nyla Brooks
No. 23 W Taliyah Henderson
No. 76 G Taisa Queiroz
3. Stanford Cardinal
No. 9 PG Hailee Swain
No. 31 F Alexandra Eschmeyer
No. 84 F Nora Ezike
W Carly Amborn (unranked)
4. UConn Huskies
No. 27 PG Kelis Fisher
No. 73 P Gandy Malou-Mamel
W Blanca Quiñonez (Ecuador)
5. Miami Hurricanes
No. 36 G Camille Williams
No. 54 G Danielle Osho
No. 79 F Natalie Wetzel
No. 93 G Meredith Tippner
Four-star W Emmanuella "Somo" Okolo (unranked)
6. Kansas State Wildcats
No. 10 G Jordan Speiser
No. 46 G Aniya Foy
Unranked PG Gina Garcia Safont (Spain)
7. Illinois Fighting Illini
No. 25 PG Destiny Jackson
No. 40 F Cearah Parchment
No. 61 F Manuella Alves-Fernandez
Unranked G Erica Finney (Australia)
8. Mississippi State Bulldogs
No. 38 G Jaylah Lampley
No. 39 F Madison Francis
No. 95 F Nataliyah Gray
9. Washington Huskies
No. 21 F Brynn McGaughy
No. 68 G Brynleigh Martin
No. 71 W Nina Cain
10. Alabama Crimson Tide
No. 51 F Lourdes Da Silva Costa
No. 55 PG Ace Austin
No. 94 G Tianna Chambers
No. 97 F Joy Egbuna
"Also considered: Michigan Wolverines, Iowa Hawkeyes, Creighton Bluejays"
LSU, UNC, Stanford lead the early top-10 recruiting class rankings
The early signing period for the class of 2025 opens on Nov. 13, with Kim Mulkey's LSU leading the way.
We didn't make the list above, but I think we should have. Believe we should be listed anywhere from #3 to #6.
#?. Iowa Hawkeyes (Using the Composite Score Rankings)
#13 Addie Deal
#46 Layla Hays
#48 Journey Houston (I'm awaiting a reply from @hawkbuck70 on what he thinks of Journey's major rankings drop)
Journey Houston was #19 when she committed to Iowa. Got injured and then went into a rankings tailspin for some unknown reason. If hawkbuck finds no reason for her to drop this much, then I think our ranking could even higher. Meaning we might have a case for #2 on this list above. Everyone of our 3 players would rank above the corresponding position of UNC recruits. No matter how you look at it, we have another top rated class.
I have documented Journey's ratings history here:
Iowa WBB 2025 Recruiting Thread
I already think Addie Deal will be one of our absolute favorite Hawks to wear an IA uniform. Talent, a team first attitude, and servant leadership will take her, everyone for that matter, very far in life,
iowa.forums.rivals.com
Posted the composite scores on our three 2025 recruits here:
Recruiting Players: 8 Years of Rankings (2 Years Prior to Clark, The 4 Clark Years & 2 Years After Clark)
The purpose of this exercise is 3 fold: 1) Had a problem properly evaluating player rankings from one site to another. It was frustrating trying to get a good handle on some players. Ex: Teagan Mallegni was rated 29 on one site and not rated on another site of 150 players. Makes you scratch your...
iowa.forums.rivals.com
This is 2 major recruiting classes in a row for the Hawks.
2024 - Iowa #13 Final Recruiting Class
Look at Kentucky. How did they get ahead of us? Georgia Tech is suspect as well. I'd say #11 is a better final rating for the class of 2024.
2024 women's college basketball recruiting rankings: Final top 25 classes
We break down the final top 25 recruiting classes in women's basketball this season.
The future is still looking up for us!
EDIT:
I thought I'd give you a taste of the best case scenario for the class of 2025 just to see the possibility of it and the links to their highest rankings.
#2. Iowa Hawkeyes (Using Highest Rankings by all 2025 Ranking Sites)
#2 Addie Deal https://247sports.com/playersport/addie-deal-at-mater-dei-325956/recruitrankhistory/?history=top247
#19 Journey Houston https://iowa.rivals.com/news/iowa-wbb-class-of-2025-top-targets
#21 Layla Hays https://iowa.forums.rivals.com/threads/iowa-womens-basketball-star-ranking.440731/post-12030353
That post was by Shikreto where he said he'd be shocked if Hays isn’t closer to #20 than #100.
Again, it isn't that far-fetched to give us a #2 rated 2025 class or close to it.
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"Story coming next week ..."
What the hell! I need my dopamine now. Well, maybe I can wait a day. We're not on the same page Chad.
Just going by the classes with only 3 signed players, it's hard to see any of them rated above Iowa. Maybe there was some personal bias in there.
