Iowa WBB Class of 2026 Recruiting Thread
- Thread starter BraydonRoberts5
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Hawks lose Hannah and Gyamfi after next year. Mallegni will be our only PF type. We need at least two true PF's.
When exactly is the last time Iowa has started a true power forward to played that type of role?
This is the first time in recent memory that it appears we will not be starting basically four guards and a forward playing center.
One thing I love about Iowa...it's basically position less basketball more interested in getting the best on the court.
Chase was the starter for most of that, Hannah only started her last year...same difference on the question.
Makes the point as that will make it 5 seasons in-between. Iowa has traditionally gotten the best players on the court and has played fairly position less for a long time (outside of a post scorer and point)...there is no absolute need positions for a team that plays their style between guards and forwards, the three other spots goes to talent, chemistry, and whatever else the coach thinks is going to give them their best chance to win.
Interesting because I read ND is one of McKenna's favorite schools. Would hate to see all three go there.
Non-UConn recruiting thread
Ran across this while perusing the Hawks 2025 commit news this weekend. Whole family flew in at their expense so an unofficial visit.
Bjorn and Lewis at Notre Dame this past weekend.
(Post #1190)
Not that it means much, but I made a couple of posts on X re: what a great fit McKeena W would be for the Hawks. One post was "liked" by who I'm assuming is her mom, and the other by McKenna herself. So it does look like Iowa is a contender, And yes, we're really going to need a couple of 6"1" to 6'3" athletic W/F's to replace Stuelke, Ediger and Gyamfi.
Lisa has used the double post offense on occasion. Interesting to see if will occur with Heiden and Hays
Question for all, how good do you think Manuella is? I'm having a hard time finding vids. I absolutely appreciate that Jan is looking internationally. That's an important evolution in Hawks wbb recruiting.
Some highlights vs AIA
Judging from these video clips she is extremely athletic, mobile, agile and coordinated for her size. Also, her father is a professional basketball coach and former player and it shows in her skills. In my opinion, she has the potential to be all American.
Intel says Caitlin to be in Iowa City this weekend for the festivities and to meet with prospective recruits.
Such a friendly discourse...I can only find out 2026 recruits of focus that are the last ranking.
Olivia Vukosa: A 6'4" F/C from Christ the King HS in Queens, NY
Kamrah Banks: A 5'8" PG from Montverde Academy in FL
Leelee Bell: A 6'2" F from Minot HD in ND
Addison Bjorn: A 6'1" PG from Park Hill South HS in Riverside, MO
Amari Byles: A 6'2" W from DeSoto HS in TX
Brihanna Crittendon: A 6'3" W from Riverdale Ridge HS in Thornton, CO
Sanai Green: A 6'0" SG/W from Steward School in Richmond, VA
Maddyn Greenway: A 5'8" PG from Providence Academy in Plymouth, MN
Jenica Lewis: A 5'10" CG from Johnston HS in IA
From this list the most realistic to visit and get are ( and yes, some have already visited) l. I would say
Leelee Bell
Addison Bjorn
Amari Byles
Sanai Green
Jenica Lewis
I'm very hesitant on Crittendon and Greenway just because taking the temperature of the room and latest information.
Vukosa and Banks I do not envision any chance with but I don't walk and quack like a duck so I could be wrong moreso with Banks than Vukosa who I think is more of a UConn, South Carolina, Texas preference but again I'm illiterate and blind in one eye.
These are all guesses, also there are several other highly rated 2026 recruits we're in on but everything is quiet and like reading tea leaves.
I mean if you're going to put a gun to my head I would say Kate Harpring, McKenna Woliczko, Addison Bjorn, Jenica Lewis maybe Ava Miles are our focus and we have the greatest chances with just from recent information.
If we can land four of those five that I just listed, we're going to be in the final four their entire career. But I'm a positive individual. So now I'm left to apologize because I'm not losing anybody that I even know is going to be visiting this weekend.
The fact that we got McKenna on campus and she and her Dad liked a tweet of mine that was on a women's recruiting site is encouraging. I would hope that we have a great chance with her and she would be a phenomenal start, probably the best of all of them to start with. 😂
Olivia Vukosa: A 6'4" F/C from Christ the King HS in Queens, NY
Kamrah Banks: A 5'8" PG from Montverde Academy in FL
Leelee Bell: A 6'2" F from Minot HD in ND
Addison Bjorn: A 6'1" PG from Park Hill South HS in Riverside, MO
Amari Byles: A 6'2" W from DeSoto HS in TX
Brihanna Crittendon: A 6'3" W from Riverdale Ridge HS in Thornton, CO
Sanai Green: A 6'0" SG/W from Steward School in Richmond, VA
Maddyn Greenway: A 5'8" PG from Providence Academy in Plymouth, MN
Jenica Lewis: A 5'10" CG from Johnston HS in IA
From this list the most realistic to visit and get are ( and yes, some have already visited) l. I would say
Leelee Bell
Addison Bjorn
Amari Byles
Sanai Green
Jenica Lewis
I'm very hesitant on Crittendon and Greenway just because taking the temperature of the room and latest information.
Vukosa and Banks I do not envision any chance with but I don't walk and quack like a duck so I could be wrong moreso with Banks than Vukosa who I think is more of a UConn, South Carolina, Texas preference but again I'm illiterate and blind in one eye.
These are all guesses, also there are several other highly rated 2026 recruits we're in on but everything is quiet and like reading tea leaves.
I mean if you're going to put a gun to my head I would say Kate Harpring, McKenna Woliczko, Addison Bjorn, Jenica Lewis maybe Ava Miles are our focus and we have the greatest chances with just from recent information.
If we can land four of those five that I just listed, we're going to be in the final four their entire career. But I'm a positive individual. So now I'm left to apologize because I'm not losing anybody that I even know is going to be visiting this weekend.
The fact that we got McKenna on campus and she and her Dad liked a tweet of mine that was on a women's recruiting site is encouraging. I would hope that we have a great chance with her and she would be a phenomenal start, probably the best of all of them to start with. 😂
Think we have others that we offered and I haven't looked at lately to see if we made or not made any top X list they may have recently. Do you have any inklings on the status of these players?
Trinity Jones
Ashlyn Koupal
Bella Ragone
Natalie Kussow (On3 article '26 guard Natalie Kussow talks Iowa, recruiting timeline by Kyle Huesmann dated 8/30/24)
Emilia Krstevski (post #91 - https://iowa.forums.rivals.com/threads/iowa-wbb-class-of-2026-recruiting-thread.439535/page-3)
Jayla Jay Jackson
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Natalie Kussow, top 20 recruit from Wisconsin who we’ve offered and has visited, is visiting Louisville this weekend. Her brother is on the baseball team there. There were rumors on GopherHole we were in good position for her. Was hoping she would visit sometime this fall.
I'm sure pictures will be posted of visitors in a few days. That is generally true of all sports.
Sorry, I just saw this. If I had to go in order of likeliness. I would start with Koupal, though I feel our recruiting of her could have started sooner and more aggressive. Then Krstevski, then probably a little larger fall off most likely with Kussow, followed by Ragone. I wish I had better thoughts for Trinity when it comes to us but we're in an uphill battle for almost everyone outside the five I gave in my prior post. Though I think Koupal might be getting there with the others I mentioned. But who knows, information is kept close and changes day to day especially with how the recruiting landscape is now 😁
Looks like Jenica may have grown a couple of inches. Sure looks closer to 6’0” than 5’10” in this picture.
We were supposed to have 5 total visiting this weekend I believe
2028 Easton McCollough visited also.
Might have to click on the link.. Katie Muller ‘27 plays on AIA
The celebrity and star power couldn't hurt recruiting efforts this past weekend. I'd be impressed.
