After an unofficial visit, the Hawkeyes formally extend offers to Brinley Altenburg (5’10” Combo Guard/PG, Class of 2027) and Pressley Watkins (6’0″ Combo Guard, Class of 2027)—Watkins publicly confirms on X/Twitter!
Women’s basketball in Iowa has an even more exciting future. After their recent unofficial visit to Iowa City, the Hawkeyes formally extended scholarship offers to Brinley Altenburg and Pressley Watkins, two of the best young guards in the Midwest.
Both are members of the class of 2027 and have garnered a lot of interest from prominent programs nationwide. The next generation of adaptable, high-IQ talent that coaches love to build around is represented by Watkins, a 6-foot combo guard from Benilde-St. Margaret’s (MN), and Altenburg, a 5-foot-10 combo guard and point guard from Sioux Falls Jefferson (SD).
It seems that head coach Jan Jensen and her staff were greatly impacted by their weekend visit to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Both guards received formal offers from Iowa shortly after the trip, according to sources. Furthermore, Watkins herself dispelled any uncertainty by publicly confirming that she had received the official Iowa offer on X (formerly Twitter).
”I am extremely grateful and fortunate to have received an offer from the University of Iowa!”
Hawkeye supporters went crazy on the internet as Watkins wrote, punctuated by the iconic black-and-gold heart emojis. The excitement quickly spread. Anyone who has followed the Caitlin Clark era can tell you that Iowa fans have witnessed firsthand how a program can elevate elite guard play to national prominence.
Message boards and social media feeds were ablaze with excitement as soon as it was announced that Iowa had offered not one, but two young guards from the 2027 class.
The fact that Altenburg and Watkins are different but complementary players is what makes this so fascinating. Altenburg, a traditional point guard who can also fill it up from beyond the arc, is renowned for her fluid handle, floor vision, and tempo control.
Evaluators have called her “a natural floor leader” and “poised beyond her years.” Watkins, however, contributes strength, size, and originality. Standing six feet tall, she possesses the physique to defend several positions and the self-assurance to dominate an offensive game. They would make an ideal backcourt duo for almost any collegiate program.
Additionally, both players contribute local knowledge that aligns with Iowa’s recruiting philosophy. Altenburg participates in All Iowa Attack, one of the top AAU programs in the nation, which is the same pipeline that gave birth to Kate Martin and Clark.
On the Minnesota Fury circuit, where she frequently plays up an age group as one of the youngest players, Watkins has drawn attention. Iowa’s timing is important from a recruiting perspective. After consecutive deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, the Hawkeyes are experiencing a huge surge in national attention. Now that Clark is a member of the WNBA, the program is putting itself in a position to remain relevant by making plans rather than chasing news.
The continuation of Iowa’s reputation as a guard-powered, offense-driven powerhouse would be indicated by Altenburg and Watkins’ landing commitments. Offers, of course, do not yet equate to commitments. Both athletes still have a lot of time to consider their options, go to other schools, and deal with the chaos of early recruitment. However, the significance of Iowa’s early and forceful entry cannot be denied.
Hawkeye supporters may one day view this as the start of the next great backcourt era if Altenburg and Watkins do choose to join forces in Iowa City. Because Iowa is sending a very clear message to the rest of the Big Ten right now: the Hawkeyes aren’t slowing down anytime soon, and the pipeline is still wide open.
