It is not very often that you get a second chance on the recruiting trail, but that is exactly what Jan Jensen and the Hawkeyes have been given.
Jensen and her staff have been excellent in recruiting since she took over for Lisa Bluder after the 2024 season, snagging five-star recruits in her only two recruiting cycles. Five-star recruit Addie Deal headlined the 2025 recruiting class, alongside four-star recruits Journey Houston and Layla Hays, and the program recently welcomed five-star recruit McKenna Woliczko in the 2026 class.
Diligence in recruiting has been key, and now the program has a chance to re-enter the sweepstakes for a top in-state prospect.
Jhaliana Guy has reconnected with the Iowa program after decommitting from Stanford
Jensen is making a habit out of signing at least one high-ranked recruit since becoming the head coach, and the program is eying a former top target to kickstart the 2028 recruiting class.
Thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with the staff @IowaWBB . I’m grateful to still hold an offer from such a prestigious program. Thank you for your continued support and belief in me. 🙏🏽#hungry #humble #motivated pic.twitter.com/Ax1RL0uO55
— Jhaliana Guy (@JhalianaGuy11) June 10, 2026
The Hawkeyes have rejoined the recruiting battle for coveted 2028 five-foot-ten guard prospect Jhaliana Guy, who recently decommitted from the Stanford Cardinal program. Iowa initially offered Guy in July 2024 and has been given another chance to bring her to Iowa City. Guy was one of the first players Jensen offered when she took over, and now she is back on the market.
Guy announced on social media that she recently had the chance to reconnect with the program and is "grateful" to still hold an offer from such a prestigious program. Jensen didn't waste any time re-establishing a relationship with the Clinton, Iowa, star, and it could pay off in a big way.
Rivals currently ranks Guy as a four-star prospect, Iowa's No. 1 overall prospect, the No. 7 shooting guard prospect, and the No. 15 overall prospect in the 2028 recruiting class, and her commitment would be massive in multiple ways for the program.
Guy would give Iowa one of the most dynamic backcourts in the Big Ten
Guy is an extremely talented prospect who is right in Iowa's own backyard, and Jensen must find a way to get her to Iowa City. She averaged a Clinton program-record 24.4 points per game last season, including a program-record 87 three-pointers, proving her elite scoring ability.
Keeping her in Iowa is the main goal, but pairing her with 2027 commit Jada Seubert would give the Hawkeyes one of the most lethal offensive backcourts not only in the Big Ten, but in the country. Seubert is better suited to the off-guard position, and if Guy can take over the lead guard or a forward position, the Hawkeyes' offensive woes will be forgotten.
It was a little surprising that Guy committed to Stanford as early as she did, and there is still plenty of time for the Hawkeyes to convince her to stay in the state. The Caitlin Clark days have passed, but with a backcourt combination of Seubert and Guy, the program can easily make it back to the promised land. Jensen has some work to do, as Guy will be a hot commodity in the 2028 class, but getting an early jump on her recruitment was a great start.
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