After the early signing period for the 2026 class ended, Iowa women’s basketball didn’t waste any time changing course. The Hawkeyes made a big move by making an offer to one of the country’s best young prospects, Khloe Nicholson, a five-star talent from the class of 2028 who is already attracting interest from major programs across the nation, as recruiting boards are already changing and long-term plans begin to take shape.
Since entering the high school scene, Quincy, Illinois native Nicholson, a 6-foot-1 wing, has drawn attention. In addition to competing on the elite grassroots stage with the Missouri Phenom Nike EYBL program, a pipeline known for producing high-major Division I players, she is a star for Quincy High School. Despite her advanced age, she has developed the kind of resume that makes college coaches notice her right away.
Her potential is already being praised by recruiting services. Nicholson is ranked as the No. 7 overall player, No. 2 small forward, and No. 1 prospect in Illinois in the 2028 cycle by Rivals, which rates her as a five-star recruit and firmly places her among the best of the best. Not only is she being recognized by other national evaluators, but that alone would put her on the radar of every major program. Nicholson is currently rated as a four-star player by ESPN, which places her at number 17 nationally in its 2028 rankings. She is ranked by Prep Girls Hoops as the best combo guard in Illinois for her class as well as the top overall prospect.
These rankings are more than just forecasts based on long-term potential or raw athleticism. Nicholson has already shown that she can influence games in a variety of ways. She averaged 8.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman, per MaxPreps. In 31 games, she accomplished all of that while shooting 41% from the field, 36% from three, and 67% from the free-throw line. Those numbers show a player with a sophisticated sense of the game, which goes far beyond early promise for a first-year high school player. In today’s positionless basketball era, Nicholson’s versatility makes her even more valuable as she contributes to all columns of the box score.
It’s not surprising that Iowa has now joined a long and expanding list of programs vying for her commitment given her performance and incredible trajectory. A strong group of high-major opponents, including a number of Big Ten rivals, are joining the Hawkeyes in the race. With offers from Indiana, Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois, and Nebraska, the conference recruiting battle is sure to be intense. In addition to the Big Ten, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas, TCU, Ole Miss, and Iowa State have extended offers to Nicholson. When a freshman garners that level of national attention, it indicates that she is already anticipated to be a significant player in college.
The offer also represents Iowa’s ongoing dedication to creating a foundation that will last for many years. The Hawkeyes are positioning themselves as a destination for elite talent early in the recruiting cycle thanks to the program’s recent success, which includes player development and national visibility. Nicholson is the type of long, talented, two-way wing that Iowa’s system might benefit from. She offers offensive tools that should continue to grow over the coming years, size on the perimeter, and the capacity to guard several positions.
Naturally, competitions for the top ten national prospects seldom take place in a quiet manner. With three full years of high school basketball ahead of her, Nicholson’s recruitment is still in its early stages, and as she continues to grow, the landscape will most likely change. As she develops into an even more polished, dominant player, more programs may enter the picture and current suitors will step up their efforts.
Offering Khloe Nicholson now, however, enables Iowa to establish itself early, cultivate relationships, and demonstrate to her the kind of role she could play in a system that places a premium on skill, spacing, and player freedom. That kind of fit is important for a talent with Nicholson’s skill set—someone who can handle, shoot, facilitate, defend, and rebound. It is far from certain that you will land her. But entering the race ahead of schedule? The first step is that. And Iowa recently took action.
