I’m locked in! The future of women’s basketball signs a letter of intent, and Hawkeye Nation erupts as 5-star phenom.
Trinity Jones formally commits to Iowa! Iowa City — Women’s basketball in Iowa has a much brighter future now. Five-star guard Trinity Jones officially announced her plans to travel to Iowa on a cool November afternoon. The college basketball community reacted immediately when the highly regarded Class of 2026 recruit signed her National Letter of Intent following the Hawkeyes’ full scholarship offer.
This is the kind of news that comes as a shock to Hawkeye supporters who are still celebrating Caitlin Clark’s incredible run. Within minutes of Jones’ announcement, social media was ablaze, with the black-and-gold devotees saturating comment sections with phrases like “Welcome home, Trinity!” and “The dynasty continues!”
For months, Iowa has been considering Jones, a 6-foot guard from Naperville, Illinois. She has been called one of the most complete players in her class because of her explosive first step, exceptional court vision, and unrelenting energy on both ends of the court.
Her dedication feels like the beginning of a new era in Iowa City, one that promises swagger, excitement, and the program’s continued national relevance. During her signing ceremony, Jones remarked, “Iowa just felt like home.” It has all of the elements I was searching for: the culture, the supporters, and the coaches’ concern for their players. I want to contribute to Iowa women’s basketball’s continued dominance.
This feeling of inclusion has turned into a defining characteristic of the Hawkeyes’ recruiting success. Young athletes who value community and competition find great resonance in the family-like environment that head coach Lisa Bluder and her staff have created. Jones’ inclusion in the program is a cultural fit rather than merely another well-known name on a roster. According to Bluder, “Trinity embodies everything we look for in a student-athlete.” She is gifted, motivated, and aware of the effort required to compete at the greatest level. We are eager to see her develop within our system and get her into the gym.
Those who witnessed Jones’ dominance in high school are aware of what Iowa is getting. She has demonstrated remarkable versatility at Naperville Central, grabbing rebounds, facilitating offense, and locking down opponents defensively, all while averaging over 20 points per game. She only improved as a result of her USA Basketball experience, which also provided her with a taste of international competition that is uncommon for players her age.
Jones doesn’t want to live in anyone’s shadow, but comparisons to Caitlin Clark are unavoidable. Jones grinned and remarked, “Caitlin is incredible and has opened doors for all of us.” However, I’m here to write my own tale. At Iowa, I want to create something unique. Iowa needs that confidence as it enters the post-Clark era. The Hawkeyes have acquired a key player who can guide, motivate, and pass the torch on to the following generation with Jones on the way.
It’s a statement rather than merely a signing. Iowa is here to stay. One statement stuck out among the many comments left by supporters on Iowa’s official post: “The future is in good hands.” They’re also correct.
With Trinity Jones formally committed, the Hawkeyes have discovered their next superstar, a player who embodies the black-and-gold tradition with skill, leadership, and a passion for the game. Despite the fact that the Caitlin Clark era is coming to an end, Trinity Jones simply ignited the spark for what comes next.
