One of the biggest commitments in Iowa women's basketball history since Caitlin Clark has set Jan Jensen and the program up to snag another top California prospect.
In October 2025, Jensen and the Hawkeyes were caught off guard on a FaceTime call from five-star prospect McKenna Woliczko, who surprised them by committing to the program. Woliczko was ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2026 class, and while earning her commitment was a massive win for the program, it could get even better.
Iowa is hoping to capitalize on Woliczko's commitment by offering four-star Maliya Hunter
Jensen and the program have been extremely successful recruiting in California, tallying back-to-back recruiting cycles with a commitment from a five-star prospect. Addie Deal (2025) and Woliczko (2026) were both considered as top-five overall prospects at their positions, and the program is hoping to further its success in Cali by offering a rising 2028 prospect with direct ties to Woliczko.
Iowa WBB has offered ‘28 four-star wing Maliya Hunter (San Jose, CA).
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) August 9, 2026
Rated as the #5 player in California by Prep Girls Hoops. Attends Archbishop Mitty.
Notable offers from UCLA, TCU, Michigan, Vanderbilt and Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/ZExl6CHmwI
The Hawkeyes are doing their best to capitalize on Woliczko's commitment by offering another talented prospect from Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California. The program offered four-star forward Maliya Hunter, a former teammate of Woliczko. Hunter has recently shot up the rankings after a stellar 205-2026 season and her performance at the Under-17 FIBA Women's World Cup with Team USA. Hunter earned a First-Team All-WCAL selection alongside Woliczko and helped Team USA to a championship in the Under-17 FIBA Women's World Cup this summer.
Prep Girls Hoops currently ranks Hunter as California's No. 6 prospect and the No. 33 overall player in the 2028 recruiting class, and there is a lot to like about her game. Hunter can score at all three levels, but is most effective in the paint, where she can use her size and elite rim finishing. She has a smooth jumper that will only get better with practice, and she can knock down long-range shots. She is not as offensively talented as Woliczko, but she is an effective rebounder and can finish at the rim through contact. The Hawkeyes have made it clear that they need more size depth, and Hunter provides that and more. Her game is so similar to Woliczko's that she would be a great signing to pair with her.
While there are no guarantees that Hunter will sign with the program, the Hawkeyes definitely have a leg up over her other suitors thanks to the success they have had recruiting in California, and having Woliczko already with the program. It is still very early in the recruiting cycle for the 2028 class, but Jensen and the program have already made a splash on the recruiting trail.
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