THE FUTURE IS BLACK AND GOLD
Top Guard Jenica Lewis Selects Iowa Over TCU, Notre Dame, and Oregon — Jan Jensen Wins Again!
Another game-changing player was just signed by the Iowa Hawkeyes. Jenica Lewis, a five-star guard and the 10th-ranked recruit in the country for the 2026 class, has formally committed to the University of Iowa, beating out Notre Dame, Oregon, and TCU, three elite schools. The Hawkeyes’ recruiting power under head coach Jan Jensen is stronger than ever, as evidenced by her announcement, which rocked women’s basketball circles and lit up social media.
Lewis was spotted courtside for the Hawkeye football team’s victory over Minnesota on October 25, her official visit to Iowa City, and it appears that experience sealed the deal. In her announcement video, she stated, “It just felt right.” “Everything about Iowa felt like home, including the coaching staff, the fans, and the energy.”
And who is to blame for her? Iowa women’s basketball has emerged as one of the country’s most captivating programs. The Hawkeyes have become a national brand, thanks to Jensen’s smooth transition as head coach and the electrifying Caitlin Clark era that revolutionized the sport’s visibility. The kind of addition that keeps Iowa firmly in the championship conversation for years to come is Lewis, a dynamic two-way guard with exceptional scoring instincts and floor vision.
Coaches are envious of Lewis’ combination of athleticism and intelligence on the court. She is selfless on the open floor, lethal from midrange, and explosive when dribbling. She is among the most complete guards in the 2026 class because of her ability to create for others while still posing a threat to score. In the words of one Midwest scout, “She’s a franchise player — the kind that changes the trajectory of a program.”
This commitment is part of an impressive recruiting trend for Iowa. Having been with the program for decades and taking over after Clark’s historic run, Jensen has demonstrated her ability to recruit top talent. It’s a statement in and of itself that Lewis was chosen over Notre Dame, a blue-blooded school with a winning history.
Fans reacted right away. Hawkeye Nation exploded on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram within minutes of the announcement. “Jenica Lewis to Iowa?!,” a fan wrote. The dynasty will not be slowing down any time soon! “Jan Jensen just performed another miracle,” another person added. The future of this team is fantastic.
The excitement makes sense. With Lewis joining a pool of top talent that also includes sharpshooter Leelee Bell and fellow standout Trinity Jones, Iowa’s 2026 recruiting class may easily place in the top three in the country. Maintaining greatness is more important than simply swapping out stars.
Lewis’ decision also underscores Iowa’s growing appeal to top recruits who want to play in front of record-breaking crowds and a passionate fanbase that lives and breathes women’s basketball. The Hawkeyes continue to attract talent and attention with their fast-paced, selfless style of play.
”When players visit Iowa City, they don’t just see a program — they feel a movement,” as one local Iowa columnist so eloquently stated. And now, another star has been added by that movement. Officially, Jenica Lewis is a Hawkeye. The future of black and gold? It’s more brilliant than before.
