The greatest player in Iowa basketball history is set to join the Iowa United this summer to play in TBT, the $2 million winner-take-all tournament.
Just last week, former Iowa basketball player and National Player of the Year Megan Gustafson was unceremoniously released by the Dallas Wings in a move that shocked an alienated a potential fan base from the Hawkeye State.
It didn’t take long for folks from The Basketball Tournament to take notice.
And the recruitment began.
https://twitter.com/IowaTbt/status/1131533607485530112
At least one @TheIowaHawkeyes legend wants to see @GustafsonMeg10 in #TBT2019 ⤵️ https://t.co/zSqgDbmUUA
— TBT (@thetournament) May 24, 2019
There's no doubt that @GustafsonMeg10 belongs in the WNBA, so we'd like to extend the invitation for her to show them what they're missing this summer.
— TBT (@thetournament) May 24, 2019
In this spirit, we will open up a free roster spot to any team that wants to add Megan for #TBT2019. https://t.co/9SYmH71ZMA
The recruitment period is over and Megan Gustafson will officially be joining TBT.
Gustafson will be joining the Iowa United to play in the $2 million winner-take-all tournament set to begin in late July.
Iowa United General Manager had this to say about bringing on Megan:
"We have decided to bring on 2019 National Player of the Year Megan Gustafson. She is thrilled for the opportunity, and we are thrilled to give her this opportunity.Megan became available, unfortunately, and kind of ridiculously, and it was something i thought it was the right thign to do to grab somelike Megan with her talents, her ability, and who she is as a person to be on this team as a great representative of Iowa, women’s basketball and the state of Iowa. We are head over heels thrilled that she is going to join us."
Historically, the tournament has featured mostly men, but it clearly states in the FAQ section women are allowed and we couldn’t be more excited to see Gustafson on the Iowa United.
While Gustafson is not the first woman to play in TBT, she is undoubtedly the most recognizable after leading the women’s Iowa basketball team on an unprecedented run this season to the Elite Eight and staking claim to four National Player of the Year titles. If we’re being completely honest, she might be the most famous Iowa basketball player at this very moment in time.
The move makes a ton of sense for both sides.
Gustafson’s presence on Iowa United gives them a talented and crafty scorer down low while giving her an opportunity to practice against top European and G-League men while giving her a stage to essentially audition to WNBA and European league GMs.
Gustafson, never one to turn down an opportunity to improve, evidenced by her famous three ball Mikan drill, will surely love this opportunity to practice and play against the men (a practice she’s likely familiar with in her brief sting with the WNBA and with the women’s Iowa basketball team) in this tournament and learn from guys like former Iowa State Cyclone Marcus Fizer.
When the tournament begins, Gustafson will be joining former Iowa basketball players Nicholas Baer, Peter Jok, Cyrus Tate and Jeff Horner as they attempt to take home the $2 million prize.