Everyone thought the air would leave the balloon once Caitlin Clark headed to the WNBA. It was a fair assumption, honestly. You lose a generational, logic-defying superstar and a legendary coach like Lisa Bluder in the same window, and usually, a program enters "rebuilding mode." But if you’ve been watching iowa women’s basketball recruiting 2026 lately, you know that’s just not happening.
Jan Jensen isn’t just keeping the seat warm; she’s basically remodeling the whole house while keeping the foundation intact.
The biggest statement? Landing McKenna Woliczko.
When the news broke that the No. 6 player in the nation—a 6-foot-2 powerhouse from California—was coming to Iowa City, it sent a shockwave through the Big Ten. This wasn’t a "local kid stays home" story. This was a West Coast elite prospect looking at the post-Caitlin landscape and saying, "Yeah, I want to be a part of that."
The Woliczko Factor and the 2026 Landscape
Landing a five-star recruit like Woliczko is a massive win for Jensen. Honestly, it’s arguably the most important commitment the program has landed since Clark herself. Woliczko is a gold medalist with Team USA, and she’s currently tearing it up for Archbishop Mitty. Just a few weeks ago, in early January 2026, she returned from an injury and immediately started dropping double-doubles like it was nothing.
She’s even got the Nike Hoop Summit call-up for April. That’s the level we’re talking about.
But recruiting isn't all sunshine and rainbows. You win some, you lose some. Iowa fans felt a bit of a sting when Addison Bjorn, a five-star wing from Missouri, picked Texas over the Hawkeyes in November. Woliczko was publically campaigning for her on social media—the "11:11 make a wish" posts and all that—but Bjorn ultimately headed to Austin. It happens. Even with that miss, the 2026 outlook is incredibly bright because the "style of play" remains the biggest selling point.
Who is Still on the Radar?
While the 2026 class has its cornerstone in Woliczko, the coaching staff is still hunting for the right pieces to fit around her. The focus seems to be on versatility. They want players who can run, pass, and shoot—the "Jan Jensen way."
- Amari Byles: A 4-star forward from Texas who has Iowa in her top six. She’s 6-foot-2 and can play multiple positions. She took her official visit back in October, and the Hawkeyes are firmly in the mix against schools like Stanford and Notre Dame.
- Kate Harpring: The daughter of NBA veteran Matt Harpring. She’s a top-5 talent and a lights-out guard. While every blue blood in the country is after her, Iowa has been a persistent presence in her recruitment.
- Jenica Lewis: This one was a tough pill to swallow. The top in-state prospect for 2026 chose Notre Dame. It hurts to lose the best player in your own backyard, but it also shows that Iowa is now swimming in the deepest part of the recruiting pool.
Why the "Iowa Brand" is Actually Growing
You’d think the "Caitlin Effect" would fade. Instead, it’s morphed.
I was reading some comments from Jan Jensen recently where she talked about how the Big Ten expansion and the Caitlin era happened at the exact same time. It put Iowa on every TV in the country. Now, recruits don't just see a highlight reel; they see a packed Carver-Hawkeye Arena and a system where post players actually get to touch the ball and guards have the green light.
Basically, the 2026 recruits aren't coming to be Caitlin. They’re coming because they saw how much fun it was to play in that environment.
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The Roster Context
To understand why iowa women’s basketball recruiting 2026 matters so much, you have to look at who Woliczko will be playing with. By the time the 2026 class steps on campus, players like Addie Deal and Journey Houston (the 2025 gems) will be seasoned sophomores. You’ve also got Ava Heiden and Taylor Stremlow providing that veteran leadership.
The transition from the Bluder era to the Jensen era has been surprisingly seamless. As of mid-January 2026, the Hawkeyes are sitting at 14-2 and ranked in the top 15. That kind of immediate success on the court is the best recruiting tool Jensen could ever ask for. It proves the system works regardless of who is wearing the jersey.
What Most People Get Wrong About 2026 Recruiting
A lot of folks think that if you don't land every five-star, you're failing. That’s just not how Jensen operates. She’s always been the "post whisperer." She looks for specific traits—footwork, motor, and basketball IQ.
Missing on Bjorn or Lewis sucks, sure. But look at Jada Seubert, the top 2027 recruit from Wisconsin who just committed to Iowa a few days ago. The momentum is rolling forward into the next cycles because the 2026 foundation is so solid.
The "downfall" that rival fans predicted? It’s just not happening. If anything, the program is becoming more national. They are beating out South Carolina and Ohio State for kids in California. That’s a new reality for Iowa City.
Next Steps for Hawkeye Fans
If you want to keep a close eye on how this class finishes out, focus on the spring evaluation period. With Woliczko already locked in, the staff can afford to be picky. Watch for updates on Amari Byles—if Jensen can pull another top-20 talent out of Texas to pair with Woliczko, this 2026 class goes from "great" to "scary."
Also, keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring. Even with elite high school recruiting, Jensen has shown she will use the portal to plug immediate gaps, which only makes the environment more attractive for incoming freshmen who want to win right away.
The 2026 cycle is far from over, but the message is clear: Iowa is still a destination, not a pit stop.