Hawkeyes have no interest in waiting for the future to come on its own, and Iowa women’s basketball is already looking far into the future. One of the most promising young players in the nation, Khloe Nicholson, a highly anticipated member of the 2028 class, has received an official offer from Lisa Bluder’s program as the early signing period for the 2026 class comes to an end.
Nicholson, a versatile and athletic 6-foot-1 wing from Quincy, Illinois, has been making steady progress on recruiting boards as a result of his stellar freshman campaign and exceptional performances on the Nike EYBL circuit. She currently plays for Quincy High School and the Missouri Phenom program, which is renowned for producing players of the highest caliber. It’s obvious why scouts and coaches have been following her for a while. She has already established herself as one of the most talented young players in the Midwest and the entire country, even at this early stage of her career.
Her rankings demonstrate how well-respected she is. Nicholson is ranked No. 7 nationally in the 2028 class by Rivals, which rates her as a five-star prospect. She is the top prospect in the state of Illinois and the second-best small forward in her position group. She is a top target for elite programs due to those designations alone, but other recruiting sources have also given her high marks. In its 2028 rankings, ESPN places Nicholson at No. 17 nationally and rates her as a four-star recruit. She is ranked as the top combo guard and the top Illinois prospect in Prep Girls Hoops’ 2028 Watch List.
Naturally, rankings only provide a portion of the picture. The excitement is further supported by Nicholson’s on-court performance as a freshman. She shot 41% from the field, 36% from three, and 67% from the free-throw line in 31 games, averaging 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks, according to MaxPreps. For any freshman, those numbers are impressive, but considering her role and the level of competition she faced, they are even more remarkable. Nicholson has a sophisticated sense of the game; she defends several positions, influences scoring, creates for teammates, and appears at ease playing both on and off the ball.
Rankings, of course, only tell part of the story. Nicholson’s on-court production as a freshman also backs up the hype. According to MaxPreps, she averaged 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks across 31 games, while shooting 41% from the field, 36% from three, and 67% at the free-throw line. Those are impressive numbers for any freshman, but they’re even more striking given her role and the level of competition she faced. Nicholson shows an advanced feel for the game—she impacts scoring, creates for teammates, defends multiple positions, and seems comfortable playing both on and off the ball.
Nicholson’s early production, skill, and size have made her one of the nation’s most sought-after young prospects. The Hawkeyes are now part of an already impressive list of programs that have entered the race thanks to Iowa’s recent offer. Numerous Big Ten contenders, including Indiana, Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois, and Nebraska, have extended offers to her. A number of high-major programs from outside the conference have also entered the race, including Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas, TCU, Ole Miss, and Iowa State.
That degree of interest highlights Nicholson’s broad appeal. Whether she plays as a scoring wing, a big guard who facilitates, or a defensive stopper who can cover three or four positions, she is the type of prospect who can blend in with any offensive scheme. She is viewed by coaches as a player with great potential who can improve a program and anchor a class.
Nicholson’s addition to Iowa’s recruiting board is a sign of the school’s ongoing success. Thanks to their recent postseason victories and the program’s expanding national brand, the Hawkeyes are coming off a period of increased national awareness. They have continuously demonstrated their capacity to spot and nurture elite talent, and making an early offer to one of the best players in the 2028 class only serves to further solidify their long-term goals.
Nicholson’s offer sheet already looks like that of an elite recruit, but it’s far too early to tell how her recruitment will play out—top 2028 players usually take their time considering options. More assessments, interest, and probably more offers will come in the coming years, but Iowa has established itself as a strong contender from the outset.
Nicholson is currently juggling the demands of the Nike EYBL tour with high school play as she works to improve both her game and her resume. Expect her rankings, visibility, and recruiting buzz to keep rising as she matures. She has already demonstrated that she is among the greatest in the country, and she still has three years of high school basketball left, so the ceiling is still very high. Iowa’s early investment demonstrates their understanding of how exceptional she has the potential to be, and they hope that their long-term investment will pay off when the 2028 class eventually becomes apparent.
