It may be hard to believe, but the women’s college basketball season is less than 100 days away.
That means we’re close to seeing the Hawkeyes return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena for Jan Jensen’s second season at the helm. This year’s Iowa women’s basketball team is a fun mix of grizzled veterans and exciting newcomers, all coming together to try and return the Hawkeyes to national prominence. And for one star, it’s her last season being able to don the black and gold.
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Hannah Stuelke has had an incredible career in Iowa City. From being the freshman sparkplug off the bench in Iowa’s run to the National Championship game in 2023 to a key contributor in their return to that game in 2024 to the star of the team last season, Stuelke has seen her role grow and evolve across her three seasons as a Hawk. Her game has also grown, and she’s become a very well-rounded player.
And ESPN thinks that Iowa fans haven’t even seen the best of Stuelke yet. They released an article previewing everything in women’s college basketball for the upcoming 2025-26 season and had a very interesting take on her game entering this new season.
What does ESPN think Hannah Stuelke will do this season?
Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke (45) shoots the ball during a NCAA Big Ten Conference women’s basketball game against Indiana, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
ESPN named Stuelke as one of the ten players they think will break out this season. She’s the only senior on a list littered with sophomores and juniors, but ESPN thinks Stuelke could have her best season yet as a Hawkeye.
The senior has been a big part of the Hawkeyes since her freshman season, making two trips to the Final Four. She has averaged 10.9 points and 6.0 rebounds over her first three seasons, but this season could be her most successful yet individually. She is coming off winning a gold medal with Team USA in the AmeriCup competition in Chile. –ESPN.
If ESPN’s prediction comes true, that’s a great sign for an Iowa team looking to make another NCAA Tournament run. While all eyes will be on exciting young players like Addie Deal, Ava Heiden, and Teagan Mallegni, Stuelke taking another step forward would be huge for Iowa. She’s one of a few veteran leaders on a young team that will look to her for guidance.
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Hawkeye fans won’t have to wait long to see if ESPN’s prediction comes to fruition or not. It’s less than 100 days until Iowa women’s basketball is back. And all signs point to it being an extremely fun season once again for the Hawkeyes.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: ESPN names Iowa women’s basketball star as breakout candidate
