The Iowa women's basketball program is making waves in the national conversation, earning a prominent spot in ESPN's way-too-early top 25 rankings. After a busy offseason filled with transfer portal moves, the Hawkeyes are positioned as a team to watch, and ESPN has taken notice, moving them up three spots to No. 6 in the nation.
Head coach Jan Jensen, entering her third season, is assembling what could be her strongest roster yet. Despite some departures, Iowa successfully retained its core stars while adding key pieces through the transfer portal. ESPN analyst Charlie Creme highlighted the impact of these additions, noting that the Hawkeyes are now poised for a Big Ten title run.
One of the most exciting new faces is Dani Carnegie, a transfer from Georgia who brings a dynamic scoring ability that Jensen hasn't had in her first two seasons. Carnegie, a combo guard who can score from anywhere on the court, will join former Georgia Tech teammate Chazadi Wright in the backcourt. Up front, the Hawkeyes boast a formidable duo in leading scorer Ava Heiden (18.0 PPG) and McKenna Woliczko, the program's highest-rated recruit since Caitlin Clark. The 6-foot-2 versatile forward adds length and skill to the frontcourt.
The top five in ESPN's rankings are stacked: No. 1 South Carolina, No. 2 UConn, No. 3 Duke, No. 4 Michigan, and No. 5 USC. But Iowa's blend of returning talent and new firepower has caught the attention of analysts early on. The Hawkeyes bring back a solid core, including point guard Chit-Chat Wright, backcourt contributors Taylor Stremlow and Journey Houston, and centers Ava Heiden and Layla Hays. Along with Carnegie and Woliczko, the team also added Georgia transfer Jocelyn Faison and Oklahoma State transfer Amari Whiting.
With this mix of experience and new energy, Iowa is building momentum for what promises to be an exciting season. For fans looking to gear up like the Hawkeyes, staying updated on their journey is a must—and so is having the right apparel to show your support.