IOWA CITY — After graduating such a pivotal senior class that redefined expectations for Iowa women’s basketball, the Hawkeyes needed a youth injection to set the stage for another successful wave.
Iowa’s 2024 recruiting class has filled that exact void while offering plenty of promise for what lies ahead. The Hawkeyes‘ five true freshmen — Ava Heiden, Taylor Stremlow, Teagan Mallegni, Aaliyah Guyton and Callie Levin — all could make significant impacts in the season ahead.
Although Jan Jensen’s first offseason as head coach featured several near-misses before finally landing 2025 commit Layla Hays, Jensen’s initial recruiting victory came by keeping her five freshmen on board following Lisa Bluder’s retirement in May. Even that close to their first collegiate preseason, any of the five could’ve bounced without penalty thanks to the coaching change. None of them ever considered it.
With the Hawkeyes’ season opener versus Northern Illinois coming up on Nov. 6, here’s how all five Iowa freshmen could make an impact this year and what’s stood out as they ease into Year 1 in the program.
Ava Heiden could have a big impact for Iowa women’s basketball as a true freshman
Ava Heiden could have a big impact for Iowa women’s basketball as a true freshman
Familiar faces nearby aiding Ava Heiden’s long journey from home
The general consensus entering this year was Heiden had the clearest path to playing time of the five. That has seemingly played out as expected.
Considering Jensen used part of media day to emphasize how Heiden has “separated herself” among Iowa’s crowded frontcourt options, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Heiden in the starting lineup in the season opener against the Huskies. The 6-foot-4 center established at the “5” position would open up versatility for junior Hannah Stuelke to move between both frontcourt positions.
Another move involving Heiden should help her freshman transition. With her hometown of Sherwood, Oregon, sitting roughly 1,900 miles away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Heiden’s parents and younger sister decided to move to Iowa City ahead of this season. Heiden’s dad is from Iowa — her mom from Michigan — so the family isn’t complete Midwest strangers.
“There were a few things going on, stars aligning types of moments. And they also did a cost analysis of how much it would take to come out here and watch some games, hotel, airfare,” Heiden said. “And it would be like $35,000 a year. And they were like, ‘It might be more beneficial if we move out there.'”
As much as college freshmen are often seeking parental independence, having familiar faces around while being so far from home is bound to pay off for Heiden in some way. A trip back home is built into the schedule too, with Iowa scheduled to play at Oregon on Jan. 19. The ticket requests are already pouring in.
“Hopefully I can leach off the rest of the players,” Heiden said with a laugh. “‘Can I have your tickets please?’ I have a lot of people.'”
‘Crafty as heck’ Taylor Stremlow turning heads early in Iowa women’s basketball practices
Fearlessness on the court, and the positive impact it can have on everyone around you, became a staple of Caitlin Clark’s collegiate years. And while dishing out any kind of Clark comparisons must be done cautiously to avoid exaggeration and embellishment, Stremlow’s knack for simply attacking the game of basketball has Clark elements weaved in.
“She’s crafty. She’s shifty. She’s not afraid to take a chance on a pass, and that’s kind of fun,” Jensen said. “Thankfully we’re used to that with Caitlin, so when she’s trying to whip it from a long way away, we’re able to manage that.
“But what I like about that is she sees the court. She’s edgy. She’s willing to take a little risk. What’s important about that for freshmen is a lot of times they’re just so worried about learning it and doing it perfectly. Taylor’s ability to kind of push the edge, that makes you better. It makes herself better. But what I like about that, she has a freedom to play for us. She has a freedom to be like, ‘Hey, I’m going to try this. No one has told me I can’t do this, so I’m going to try it.’ That’s really important, I think, to becoming all that you can be when you’re not so worried about making a mistake.”
Backup point guard behind Lucy Olsen remains a work in progress, especially with freshman Aaliyah Guyton still working back from ACL surgery. Stremlow will be in the mix there and potentially elsewhere if her practice highlights immediately transfer to the game floor.
“Taylor is crafty as heck,” teammate Kylie Feuerbach said. “She’s very fun to play with. She kind of has that inner dog in her, so she’s very fun.”
Versatile Teagan Mallegni trending upward with opportunity in abundance for Hawkeyes
It’ll likely be a collaborative effort to counter senior Sydney Affolter’s early absence as she recovers from minor offseason knee surgery. Mallegni could see her role increase the most as a result.
“The versatility of Teagan Mallegni,” Jensen said, “she’s a big forward. She can post up a little bit. She’s got a really quick good three shot. So she’s been doing a lot of great things for us.”
While size that can shoot is coveted by just about every program, that combination fits perfectly in an Iowa system that thrives on downtown action and exploiting mismatches. Whether it’s interior players out-sprinting opponents back down the floor or forcing perimeter defense from those not as used to it, the Hawkeyes can use Mallegni’s attributes in a variety of ways.
That’s especially important on this year’s squad that graduated almost all of its top outside shooters.
Aaliyah Guyton ready to get back after difficult offseason
A torn ACL suffered in late December has put Guyton’s patience and perseverance under the microscope, in a way she never hoped to experience. Slowly, though, Guyton has embraced the significance of conquering this grueling recovery.
“I’ve been tested for all nine months,” Guyton said. “It’s honestly been a good process. It’s been something to grow from. I’ve never really been good with patience, but I feel like God does everything for a reason. Everything happens for a reason.”
Jensen reported at media day on Oct. 10 that Guyton still wasn’t practicing, which does make it tough to outline expectations in Year 1. Guyton will likely slide into the backup point-guard role whenever she is fully cleared.
Until then, her vibrant personality and impressive dance moves will help keep the locker room light,
Callie Levin, Iowa’s latest wave of energy and exuberance
Speaking of energetic personalities, there is no shortage of them with this freshman class.
“Aaliyah, Callie and Taylor Stremlow, it is 7:30 in the morning and these three want to have a full-on conversation at maximum volume,” teammate Taylor McCabe said. “I’m like, ‘Guys, I just woke up. We got to calm this down.’ There’s just such a fun energy with them.”
Upon further review, though, there is a clear ringleader.
“Callie is really loud,” said Stuelke, making sure to drag out the “really” for added emphasis. “Like, it’ll be 8 in the morning and she walks into the locker room, ‘Hey! What’s up everybody?!?’
“Like, it’s 8 in the morning.”
Among all the cliches Iowa women’s basketball has hammered home during its spotlight run, the importance placed on team cohesion and a welcoming culture isn’t just lip service. Those who embrace that even if the minutes aren’t coming will always be valued in the Iowa program.
How much Levin plays this year remains to be seen. Jensen said she’s mainly helped with backup point-guard duties given that Iowa is so thin there. Either way, it’s clear Levin’s exuberant demeanor will benefit the Hawkeyes this season.
Dargan Southard is a sports trending reporter and covers Iowa athletics for the Des Moines Register and HawkCentral.com. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.
