The new-look Iowa women's basketball squad has been diligently preparing for next season during summer workouts, and a few players are standing out among the rest.
During her first media availability of the summer, Jan Jensen lauded everyone on the team, especially the five returners, for their efforts early on. She was also extremely pleased with Chit-Chat Wright taking the next step as a leader and with how versatile former five-star prospect McKenna Woliczko is. The squad still has a lot of work to do before they are ready for next season, but assistant coach LaSondra Barrett has been surprised by one specific player so far this summer.
LaSondra Barrett gave a stellar update on returning center Layla Hays
Former four-star center Layla Hays made an immediate impact behind starting center Ava Heiden last season, but she saw her role diminish as the season went on. She was ultimately outplayed by fellow first-year player Journey Houston, but she has come into summer workouts determined and ready to show what she is truly capable of.
LaSondra Barrett with an encouraging summer update on Layla Hays: “I think she's in a better mental space right now, and she actually takes it at Ava (Heiden). So that's what we like to see, if you can challenge Ava every day. she came back in really good shape, she's killing it…
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) July 7, 2026
According to the Des Moines Register's Chad Leistikow, Barrett had nothing but praise for Layla Hays, claiming that she's had a "really good summer." Hays has entered summer workouts in a much better headspace and is being far more aggressive in her matchups with Ava Heiden, which the coaching staff is encouraged to see. Hays is also in great shape and "killing it" in the weight room, proving she is ready to make a bigger impact next season.
Hays started last season as Heiden and Hannah Stuelke's primary backup, but Houston's hard work and rebounding ability forced Jensen to play her more regularly. That cost Hays a bulk of her minutes, but she is working hard to prove she is ready to take the next step next season. After the program's disappointing early exit in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, nine players left the program (five transfers, four graduated), leaving multiple openings.
If Hays improves her defense and inside scoring, she is one of the few post players on Iowa's roster besides Heiden and Woliczko, with Woliczko more suited to a stretch-four or point-forward role. Hays' size will be massive for the squad next season, and Jensen will need her to give Heiden a breather or step in if she gets into foul trouble. Any way you slice it, Hays has the potential to be one of the most important reserves on the roster this season.
Hays' development is critical to Iowa's success
Heiden, Woliczko, and Dani Carnegie are easily Iowa's top three players next season, but Hays might be the most important. Hays is the second-tallest player behind Heiden at six-foot-five, and aside from Woliczko, who is projected to be a starting forward, the Hawkeyes have an alarming lack of size. During Jensen's short tenure as head coach, the program has always had size, something they will have to learn to go without this season.
Iowa also doesn't have any size coming via the 2027 recruiting class just yet, making Hays' development even more critical. She showed flashes during her first season, but she was exposed on defense and has a limited offensive arsenal. With that being the case, Hays has to excel on the glass and at close range to be effective. No one is asking her to average a double-double off the bench, but when Heiden is out of the game, the squad can't skip a beat.
If Hays struggles, Jensen has the option to go small with Woliczko at the center and Journey Houston or Jocelyn Faison at one of the forward spots, but that drastically limits Iowa's ability to match up with some of the bigger teams, like UCLA, in the paint. Hays' development is critical not only for her but also for the program, and she must take the next step for the squad to have any kind of success next season.
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