We do not often see a successful jump from Division III to Division I, but that is exactly what Iowa transfer Bria Medina is attempting to accomplish.
Medina had an elite three-year career for D-III Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, before deciding to transfer to the Iowa program, and she is attempting to bring that same success to Iowa City. Medina tallied 1,524 career points at Knox and filled up the stat sheet last season. She averaged 23.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game last season.
While the jump in competition level will be difficult, Medina is fully embracing it.
Medina isn't putting too much pressure on herself and is 'soaking it all up'
Medina has her work cut out for her in making a two-division jump in level of competition, but she is going into her first season in Iowa City with the perfect mindset.
During a portion of her media availability after a recent summer practice (posted by 247Sports), Medina admitted that she knew it would be difficult to get into the groove when she arrived, but she is doing her best to give herself some grace. She wants to consistently have a "growth mindset," learning from her mistakes and not putting too much pressure on herself.
Medina also gave Hawkeye fans a brief glimpse of what she brings to the court, given that there isn't much tape out there on her. She prides herself on her ability to drive and finish at the rim, especially in transition, and she loves to play fast. Last season, the Hawkeye offense would often get bogged down when teams shut down Ava Heiden and Hannah Stuelke in the paint, but with Jan Jensen re-implementing a four-out, one-in offense, Medina has the potential to thrive.
Medina has the potential to be a lethal scoring option for Jan Jensen's bench unit
While Medina averaged an impressive 23.6 points per game last season, it was against far weaker competition. That does not diminish the fact that she is a solid three-level scorer who excels at getting to the rim, something the Iowa offense can utilize this season. With Hannah Stuelke headed to Europe to start her professional playing career, Jensen is shifting the offense to better fit her personnel, something that will greatly benefit Medina.
There are no guarantees Medina will get the type of minutes she needs to repeat or come close to her offensive output at Knox, but she should be in the mix for reserve guard minutes, depending on the starting lineup Jensen selects. Chit-Chat Wright and transfer Dani Carnegie are the only projected "locks" to earn a starting spot, with Taylor Stremlow and Amari Whiting also in the mix. Regardless of whether Whiting or Strelow starts, Medina's offense should give her a path to playing time.
Medina is much more suited to an off-guard position with her score-first mindset, but she gives Jensen a unique scoring option off the bench. Even though the competition is way tougher in the Big Ten, shooters shoot, and if Medina can provide a consistent source of offense, the Hawkeyes will be much more dangerous next season.
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