Four transfers join Babbitt, Iowa State women’s basketball

A quartet of transfers announced over the last week that they will be joining Kent State transfer Mya Babbitt in the cardinal and gold for the 2026-27 season.

On April 14, the Cyclones added size to their frontcourt with the commitment of Gift Ezekiel, a 6-foot-1 center from Florida. A native of Edo State, Nigeria, Ezekiel averaged 2.4 points and 1.9 rebounds last season and is expected to have one year of eligibility remaining.

Her addition was particularly crucial as Iowa State saw several key post players, including Audi Crooks (Oklahoma State) and backups Alisa Williams (Indiana) and Lilly Taulelei (Rice), will play the 2026-27 season outside of Ames.

The recruitment momentum continued on Thursday when Ashleigh Connor, a standout guard from La Salle, announced her commitment for the 2026-27 season. Connor, originally from Pittsburgh, began her career at Saint Louis before excelling at La Salle, where she averaged a career-high 16.2 points and 5.6 rebounds last season.

The Cyclones secured two more versatile international players to round out their portal class. On Sunday, Alex-Anne Bessette, a 6-foot-2 transfer from Loyola, announced her transfer to Iowa State. A native of Canada and a former FIBA U18 silver medalist, Bessette started 32 games as a freshman, averaging 11.3 points and leading her team in blocks.

Finally, former Washington guard Sienna Harvey committed to the program on Sunday, too. Harvey, a 5-foot-10 guard from Australia with three years of eligibility left, brings professional experience from the Australian NBL1 and a silver medal from the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup.

These additions collectively provide the Cyclones with a mix of veteran leadership and young, versatile talent for the upcoming season.