DUE TO SETBACK OF THE TEAM, HANNAH HAS ANNOUNCE HER STEP DOWN TO THE TEAM.
IOWA CITY, Iowa: The same objective is whispered to sophomore forward Hannah Stuelke by Iowa women’s basketball assistant coach Raina Harmon at least once a week.
Harmon intends to mention it casually or after a practice following a significant play, hoping that the 6-foot-2 Stuelke will get closer to the actual target with each passing week.
“Future All-American,” proclaims Harmon.
If you ask any member of the women’s basketball team about Steulke, they will just add to the high hopes that the product from neighboring Cedar Rapids has garnered.
Head coach Jan Jensen, a longstanding assistant, remarked, “We have high expectations for her.”
A mural of Hawkeye players may be seen in the middle of the video room at Iowa. Caitlin Clark, an All-American senior outstanding guard, is the focal point of the painting. Stuelke is splitting center with Clark. It’s another sign of how people close to Stuelke see the player’s development.
Stuelke was the Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year as a freshman, and her potential made many excited about what lay ahead for her. Stuelke, who is already a starter, will play a bigger part for the Hawkeyes this season. She will be a vital component of the No. 3 Iowa squad that plays No. 8 Virginia Tech on Thursday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2) in an attempt to win the national title again.
Speaking with Stuelke reveals a player who is prepared for every situation, for the current season as well as future ones. In the words of another Iowa staff member, “she’s up next.”
Harmon remarked, “She has high hopes.” She observes what Caitlin Clark has accomplished in this situation. She is aware that Caitlin will leave this program at some point in the future, and she is excited about the prospect of taking over as its anchor.
The process of choosing the college where they’ll continue their basketball career usually involves many campus visits, a series of online graphics that gradually narrow down their options to a few colleges, and a dash of suspenseful anticipation for many top-50 high school prospects. For Stuelke, such was not the case.
Growing up, Stuelke was a devoted Hawkeye, with her family frequently going to basketball games where she saw her home team’s stars, including All-Americans Megan Gustafson and Kathleen Doyle, as well as Tania Davis. When Stuelke was in the seventh grade, schools started showing interest in her, but she was set on one.
She was shocked to learn that Iowa was offering Stuelke a seventh-grade position. In the spring of her first year of high school, she committed to Iowa.
As a senior, Stuelke won the title of Iowa Miss Basketball. “Your dreams become reality,” she stated. “I find staying at home to be really cool.”
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Stuelke’s first year at Iowa was about getting over the learning curve, just like it is for other freshmen athletes in college. Being a highly anticipated addition to a club that was expected to do well, Stuelke had to pick things up fast, absorb it, and play a part.
Stuelke, who averaged 6.5 points and 3.9 rebounds on 61% shooting as a rookie, stated, “I grew up a lot.” “I simply felt that I had to step in and do my part really well. I believe I carried that out.
Stuelke has been inserted into the starting five in her sophomore campaign. She will be tasked with the challenging task of assisting in the production of forward Monika Czinano, a vital component of the team. Although Stuelke won’t have to play alone, the Hawkeyes’ success this season will depend greatly on how well she performs in the frontcourt.
Steulke declared, “I can’t wait to show people what I can do again.”
At the American Airlines Center in Dallas on April 2, 2023, Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke (left) shoots over Louisiana State forward LaDazhia Williams (right) in the 2023 NCAA national championship.C. GETTY IMAGES: MORGAN ENGEL/NCAA PHOTOS
To be perfectly honest, Iowa hasn’t seen Stuelke’s level of athletic versatility in years.
Senior guard Kate Martin remarked, “I think on one of the first days of our summer practice, when she first got on campus, I watched her for like 10-15 seconds and I was like, wow, she’s a frickin’ athlete.”
In her eighth season at Iowa, Harmon remarked, “I think she’s one of the most athletic kids that I’ve had the opportunity to coach.” “She does a lot of things on the floor that other players just aren’t able to do with their skill sets.”
Harmon made special mention of Stuelke’s capacity to take off during her second jump, which is the leap that follows an initial jump against a rival player.
It’s strange. Stuelke, who led Iowa in rebounds per minute played the previous season, was praised by Harmon for her ability to get offensive rebounds through her second leap. It’s a simple thing, but it makes a big difference.
