During the WNBA All-Star weekend in Chicago, Iowa freshman McKenna Woliczko stood at a signing table for Panini America, where she autographed a limited edition set of trading cards that will soon be distributed to collectors.
A New Chapter in Iowa City
Woliczko’s journey to that moment began on the courts of Archbishop Mitty High School in California, where she helped the team capture two national gold medals at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship and the FIBA U17 World Cup, achievements that earned her a reputation as one of the nation’s top prospects.
A torn ACL in high school forced a lengthy recovery, but the forward says the experience has given her a clearer perspective on the work required to compete at the Division I level.
Now sharing a dorm room with teammates Layla Hays and Ava Heiden, she describes the pair as both a grounding presence and a source of constant contrast, their different personalities weaving a supportive dynamic that has eased her move to Iowa City.
Welcoming the Hawkeyes
The reception from Iowa fans was immediate and enthusiastic, a reaction that left Woliczko grateful for the growing appetite for women’s basketball and eager to repay that support on the court.
She also praised the leadership of upperclassmen such as Taylor Stremlow and Chit-Chat Wright, whose work ethic and guidance have become a steady influence in the locker room.
Adapting to a New System
Iowa’s four-out, one-in offensive scheme has become the centerpiece of her early practices, as she sharpens her perimeter shooting, defensive positioning, passing accuracy and rebounding instincts.
The coaching staff’s emphasis on spacing and ball movement challenges her to expand her skill set beyond the paint, a development she embraces as she looks toward the upcoming season.
With her ACL injury behind her, Woliczko says the final piece of the puzzle is regaining confidence in her three-point shot, a milestone that could determine how quickly she contributes to the Hawkeyes’ lineup.
Off the court, she continues to collaborate with Panini, whose exclusive cards not only celebrate her early achievements but also open future opportunities for her basketball career.