Jenica Lewis, an in-state 2026 five-star shooting guard prospect, declared her commitment to Notre Dame on Thursday night following a fierce push by Iowa women’s basketball. Lewis selected the Irish over TCU, Iowa, and Oregon, who were also finalists.
Late in the process, on October 25, Lewis, one of the Hawkeyes’ most coveted prospects in the 2026 class, made an official visit to Iowa City. Iowa ends up as one of the four finalists, despite the Hawkeyes’ hopes of adding the native of Johnston, Iowa, as their second 2026 commit, joining fellow five-star McKenna Woliczko.
”Every game, every dream, and every moment fits. In her X announcement, Lewis wrote, “Dedicated to Notre Dame.”
According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, Lewis is the top prospect in the state of Iowa, the 22nd overall recruit in the country, and the fourth shooting guard. While ESPN ranks Lewis as the 24th best player in the nation overall, Rivals ranks him as the 21st best player in the country, the 5th best combo guard, and the top player in the state in 2026.
She was named the 2024–25 Iowa MaxPreps High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year at Johnston High School, where she averaged 18 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game while shooting 47% from the field, 35% from 3-point range, & 88% from the free-throw line.
The Hawkeyes have been regarded as the sentimental favorite for months. Lewis grew up watching Iowa basketball, and a lot of supporters thought that the program’s recent national success and the connection to home would be sufficient to keep her in-state. However, as of Wednesday evening, things changed.
As the program looks to sign at least two of their three high-profile 2026 targets, the Hawkeyes and their supporters will be focused on the impending recruiting battle for five-star forward Addison Bjorn now that Lewis is off the board.
This weekend is Bjorn’s last official visit to Kansas; she has not yet disclosed when she plans to commit.
