Well, well, well—look who just dropped a bomb on women’s college hoops. **McKenna Woliczko**, a five-star beast out of Cali, picked the Iowa Hawkeyes over South Carolina (yeah, *that* South Carolina), and everyone’s losing their minds. There’s already chatter about her being the next Caitlin Clark. No pressure, right?
## Iowa Actually Won a Recruiting Battle?
Iowa fans, it’s not a dream. Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks usually hoard the blue-chippers like they’re Pokémon cards, but not this time. Woliczko—ranked No. 6 for 2025 by Rivals, which is no joke—announced she’s taking her talents to corn country. She passed on South Carolina, USC, and Ohio State. Pretty sure Hawkeyes fans are still picking their jaws up off the floor.
She’s 6’2”, can ball inside and out, and honestly, she’s not just some Clark knockoff. Totally different vibe. But landing her? That’s easily Iowa’s biggest recruiting flex since… ever? Maybe since Clark, honestly.
And get this: “I thought it was super cool, all those people supporting women’s basketball,” Woliczko told On3 Sports. That Iowa fan base, man. They’re like a cult, but in the best way.
## Riding the Caitlin Clark Wave
Let’s not pretend here—Caitlin Clark basically put Iowa on the map for every top recruit with a jump shot. Before her, the Hawkeyes couldn’t buy a seat at the cool kids’ table. Clark was their first top-5 signee ever. Before her, you had to go all the way back to Samantha Logic in 2011 for a big-name recruit. It’s been a minute.
South Carolina, on the other hand, is used to stacking McDonald’s All-Americans like pancakes at a Sunday brunch. Losing Woliczko isn’t going to tank their empire or anything, but, uh, it’s not something that happens often. Chalk this one up as a rare “L” for Staley.
## West Coast Swagger Heads Midwest
Woliczko’s from **San Jose**, so she’s swapping palm trees for, I dunno, cornfields and snow drifts. She’s athletic, she’s tough, and she’s probably going to start making noise in Iowa City from day one. Rivals says she’s one of the most “impactful forwards” in the whole dang country, and honestly, I buy it.
As for South Carolina, don’t cry for them. They’re still loaded for the next decade. Staley’s going to keep reeling in talent like it’s on sale. This one stings, sure, but it’s a speed bump, not a pothole.
Bottom line? Iowa just reminded everyone that they’re not done yet. Clark might be gone soon, but the Hawkeyes aren’t fading quietly.
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