As the exciting incoming class for the Iowa women’s basketball program moved in over the weekend, the team began its summer practices on Sunday as the Hawkeyes tune up for the impending 2025-26 season.
While Iowa closed out the 2024-25 campaign with a 10-8 record within the Big Ten and 23-11 overall, the Hawkeyes’ last 15 games saw the team go on a scorching hot 11-3 run before dropping their second-round matchup to Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament. Entering her second season as head coach, Jan Jensen looks to capitalize on the Hawkeyes’ late-season momentum with a retooled group of talented players joining the team.
Headlining the exciting group of newcomers are five-star guard Addie Deal, who is joined by fellow guards Jouney Houston, Chazadi ‘Chit-Chat’ Wright, guard/forward Emely Rodriguez, and center Layla Hayes. Among those five, Wright and Rodriguez are the only additions with previous collegiate experience. Wright played at Georgia Tech, while Rodriguez played at UCF last season before joining Iowa through the transfer portal.
While the team endured some growing pains last year with a new head coach, conference expansion, and inopportune injuries, the Hawkeyes hope the lessons learned from last season will allow the group to take the next step towards regaining their spot amongst the conference’s and nation’s elites.
As the summer practices move along and the summer months turn to fall, the anticipation for another memorable Hawkeyes season will only grow stronger by the day.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women’s basketball opens summer practices
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
