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ESPN high on Iowa women's basketball in way-too-early top 25 rankings
TL;DR
ESPN ranks Iowa women's basketball among the top 25 teams for the 2026-27 season despite roster changes. Key returnees include leading scorer Ava Heiden and point guard Chit-Chat Wright.
Even in the midst of some roster reshuffling, ESPN is a believer in Iowa women's basketball heading into the 2026-27 season.
While it's a long ways off and Jan Jensen and staff have their work cut out for them to replenish transfer portal departures, Iowa still has plenty coming back to be excited about.
Those returnees are headlined by last season's leading scorer and second-leading rebounder in center Ava Heiden. Heiden posted averages of 18 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game on 64.1% shooting.
Iowa also brings back point guard Chit-Chat Wright, who averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game on 42.9% field goal shooting and 44% 3-point shooting.
Per ESPN's way-too-early top 25 rankings, Iowa is the No. 9 team heading into next season.
McKenna Woliczko (SC Next 100 No 6), Iowa's highest-rated recruit since Caitlin Clark, arrives with plenty of expectations. She also arrives at a good time, with Hannah Stuelke set to depart. The 6-2 Woliczko is a good, versatile fit alongside Ava Heiden in the frontcourt and Chit Chat Wright at point guard. - Charlie Creme, ESPN
The Hawkeyes finished second in the Big Ten regular-season standings and also advanced to the Big Ten Tournament championship game. Iowa earned a No. 2 seed and finished 27-7 (15-3 Big Ten) last season.
Iowa fans can't wait to see McKenna Woliczko join the Hawkeyes' exciting core of returnees. Plus, Iowa is sure to add more firepower via transfer portal additions.
ESPN's way-too-early top five features No. 1 UConn, No. 2 Texas, No. 3 South Carolina, No. 4 LSU and No. 5 Michigan. Other Big Ten teams inside the way-too-early top 25 rankings include No. 6 USC, No. 12 Ohio State, No. 13 Maryland, No. 15 Oregon, No. 16 Illinois, No. 17 Washington, No. 19 Minnesota and No. 23 Nebraska.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnHawks
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: ESPN high on Iowa women's basketball in way-too-early top 25 rankings
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Q&A
Who are the key players returning for Iowa women's basketball in the 2026-27 season?
The key returning players for Iowa women's basketball are center Ava Heiden, who averaged 18 points and 7.2 rebounds, and point guard Chit-Chat Wright, who averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 assists.
What were Ava Heiden's statistics during the last season?
Ava Heiden posted averages of 18 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game on 64.1% shooting.
How did Iowa women's basketball perform in the transfer portal this offseason?
Iowa women's basketball is undergoing roster reshuffling due to departures in the transfer portal, but they still have a strong core returning for the upcoming season.
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