A New Star Joins the Hawkeyes
Iowa's women's basketball program has secured a verbal commitment from Maliya Hunter, a 2028 four‑star forward who will arrive on campus after a standout high school career at Archbishop Mitty in San Jose, California.
Hunter's rise has been underscored by national rankings that place her No. 22 overall in the ESPN 2028 Super 60, while Prep Girls Hoops ranks her No. 33 nationally and No. 5 within California, reflecting the depth of talent she brings to the roster.
At Archbishop Mitty she shared the court with former Iowa signee McKenna Woliczko, a partnership that produced first‑team All‑Bay Area honors from the San Jose Mercury News and a first‑team All‑WCAL selection during the 2025‑26 season.
Her contributions helped the USA Basketball U17 squad capture the 2026 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup, where she averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 48.1 % from the field.
The Hawkeyes join a growing list of suitors, including Ohio State, Stanford, Michigan, Oregon and UCLA, all of which have extended scholarship offers to the versatile forward.
Coach Jan Jensen expressed enthusiasm about the addition, noting that Hunter's blend of size, shooting efficiency and defensive awareness aligns with the team's long‑term vision.