The expectations for the Iowa Women's Basketball program are high in year two under Head Coach Jan Jensen.
During Iowa's first season without legendary Head Coach Lisa Bluder and superstar Caitlin Clark, the Hawkeyes started the season slowly but finished strong.
Under the tutelage of Jensen and the rise of transfer guard Lucy Olsen, the Hawkeyes finished the season with a 23-11 (10-8 Big Ten) record and earned their seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Before the 2025-2026 season, the Hawkeyes gained recognition, and are projected to start the campaign ranked in the top 25.
A significant portion of the projected success of the Hawkeyes stems from the addition of a talented freshman class, led by McDonald's All-American Addie Deal.
Deal spoke to reporters after Tuesday's summer practice to discuss how she is acclimating to the city and the basketball program.
Acclimation to Iowa City
After five-star prospect Addie Deal committed to the Iowa program during her junior year in high school (2023), the expectations grew. She has all the tools to be a star player for the Hawkeyes, but for now, she is just excited to be in Iowa City.
When asked about how she is adapting to life in the Hawkeye state, Deal said she "feels a little Iowan," but has not developed a Midwest accent of any kind.
She was more excited than sad to leave her home in California and was eager to get started.
Deal also noted that her brother is already living in Iowa, and plays basketball at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. She also said that her parents are relocating to Iowa in August.
Adjusting to college basketball and the high expectations
Deal has always been in the spotlight since her early playing days at Mater Dei High School, one of the nation's best basketball programs.
Deal was asked how she has handled the spotlight and the pressure since joining the Iowa program, and she said she does not feel pressure to succeed and is "motivated by the spotlight."
She used the word "excited" multiple times, and said she has gotten a lot better from her first practice.
Deal is getting different looks and shots at the basket and is getting used to her role with her new team. She also noted she is getting better at understanding and reading schemes.
Support from the fans her teammates
Deal was asked about how the fans and teammates have been supporting her through her first few days on campus, and she said everyone has been awesome.
She noted that even when she was playing high school basketball in California, Iowa fans would show up to support her if they were in the area.
After her commitment, Deal said multiple fans have shared their support for her online, making her more excited to join the program.
She also noted the veterans on the team have been helpful on and off the court as she tries to adjust. They help her on the court and attend dinners and socialize off the court.
As Deal's confidence continues to grow, the hype surrounding the program will as well.