The Caitlin Clark effect lives on. The Indiana Fever star was the highest ranked recruit in the program’s history back in 2020 (ESPN’s No. 4 player in that class). The impact she had on the Big Ten program has enabled the Iowa to become a national presence in recruiting circles, as the Hawkeyes landed ESPN’s No. 6 player in the class of 2026, McKenna Woliczko.
“I believe Iowa is a perfect fit for me as I balance basketball, academics and an overall college experience,” Woliczko said. “The style of play is perfect for me, as my versatility will be utilized at a high level, and I can grow into the all-around player I envision for myself at the next level.”
Spuring offers from finalists USC, South Carolina, and Ohio State, Woliczko will be making the move from California’s Bay Area to Iowa City for her collegiate career. Attending Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, the elite senior learned the game from a coach that has built a legendary tradition at Mitty. Head coach Sue Phillips has won six CIF state titles since 1995 and likely would have won a seventh (Mitty was the No. 1 ranked team in the nation when Woliczko tore her ACL last season). Mitty ultimately lost in the CIF state title game, but McKenna’s influence was still felt on the sidelines.
“McKenna’s presence is second to none. She has a calming influence on our team. It’s something that comes very natural to McKenna,” Phillips admitted. “She is so keen and comfortable with who she is that it’s infectious on the rest of the group.”
Standing 6-foot-2 with a long wingspan, Woliczko brings the versatility that is common in today’s era of basketball, both on the men’s and women’s side. The two time gold medalist with USA Basketball utilizes her size to post smaller defenders, but is agile enough to exploit mismatches facing the rack via a flurry of straight line drives and a reliable pull-up from mid-range. While she is able to play all over the floor, she feels she is best suited for the perimeter at the collegiate level.
“In high school and AAU, I played a lot of post, so I think that my post game will help me at the next level,” Woliczo clarified on where she envisions herself on the floor. “However, I do think that I will be more of a wing in college and from there on.”
Playing for Jason Kidd Select on the travel ball circuit certainly helped her develop her perimeter game as well for when she dons the Iowa jersey under Jan Jansen. The Hall of Fame point guard and current Dallas Mavs coach is making his impact on the women’s game and players are incredibly grateful with McKenna sending this message to Kidd: “Thank you for supporting women’s basketball. In a short period of time, you have helped me fulfill my dreams”
Given her ranking, ability to play inside and out, and the incredible buzz that is surrounding Iowa women’s basketball, the Caitlin Clark comparisons are going to be inevitable. However, their games are nothing alike and they don’t even play the same position. Clark has always been known as a scoring point guard, whereas Woliczko is the number one player in the country. While McKenna is flattered by the comparisons, she is quick to point out there are many differences as well.
“I don’t mind it, but we’re also completely different people and players,” she humbly explained. “She’s paved the way for girls in the future, whether that’s for girls playing at Iowa or girls in the future, in general. Caitlin Clark is definitely a big piece to Iowa and has helped put Iowa on the map.”
McKenna Woliczko folks. 🏀💪@usabjnt @mitty_wbb @JKSelectGbb #WINNER pic.twitter.com/H25j3i0JgL
— Sue Phillips (@coachsphillips) July 4, 2024
Coming off their fourth consecutive year of sold out season tickets, many contend the Iowa Hawkeyes have the strongest fan base in Women’s College Basketball and it shows with their recruiting. Jansen and her staff are recruiting coast to coast, and while Woliczko won’t be by her coast, she’ll be at home in Iowa City.
“I love going to the beach and I know that’s something that I am not going to be able to do in Iowa, but I have heard there are a lot of lakes in Iowa, so that’s going to be fun,” she said with a chuckle. “I think that Iowa and the fans have definitely helped shape women’s basketball. I think they have definitely made a new era of basketball. The opportunities at Iowa are going to be unlimited.”
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