McKenna Woliczko, an Iowa women’s basketball signee, is one of the top voters for national player of the year. By Hawkeyes Wire’s Scout Springgate The excitement surrounding Iowa women’s basketball is only increasing, and things appear to be going well. Before even arriving in Iowa City, McKenna Woliczko, one of the Hawkeyes’ top incoming players, is already making national headlines.
The 6-foot-2 senior from San Bruno, California’s Archbishop Mitty High School was just selected for the 2025–2026 Jersey 85 of the most promising young basketball players in the country are highlighted on Mike’s Naismith Girls’ High School Player of the Year Watch List. She is currently participating in a Sporting News fan vote where fans nationwide can vote for the person they think should be the front-runner for the esteemed award. Fans, particularly Hawkeye Nation, have an early but exciting opportunity to support their newest recruit.
One of the main players in head coach Jan Jensen’s 2025 class, Woliczko formally signed with Iowa on the first day of the early signing period this November. It’s a significant addition for Iowa. According to ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports, Woliczko is the sixth-best player in the nation overall. She is also the second-best player from California and the country’s second-best power forward, according to 247Sports.
It’s the highest-rated signing for Iowa since Caitlin Clark, who was ranked No. 2 among point guards and No. 4 overall in the 2020 class. That kind of talent is uncommon. After Clark’s illustrious tenure, head coach Jan Jensen took over the Hawkeyes, and Woliczko is currently the highest-ranked signee.
The way Woliczko arrived is even more amazing. Her ACL tear, which would have kept most athletes out of action for a long time, ended her junior season. She was shooting a scorching 59% from the field and averaging 22.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game prior to that setback. Her high school resume is still excellent even though she missed a significant portion of that season. With 1,457 career points and 605 rebounds under her belt, Woliczko is ready to dominate once more as she enters her senior year in perfect health.
She is anticipated to be one of Archbishop Mitty’s main offensive tools now that she is fully recovered. Not only are the Monarchs a formidable team, but MaxPreps currently ranks them as the top team in the country. The program’s depth and Woliczko’s influence on the court are both amply demonstrated by that ranking.
This season, both scouts and fans will be keeping a close eye on her as she attempts to reclaim her place among America’s best high school athletes. She is a nightmare opponent due to her size, skill, and versatility. She can score effectively in the paint, make mid-range jumpers, and create opportunities for teammates, making her a true inside-out threat.
Fans can participate in the national Player of the Year discussion through the Sporting News fan poll, which is open until Wednesday, December 10 at 12:59 p.m. CT. Results will be released in the days after the poll closes. It’s important to remember that this fan vote is solely for engagement, so the outcome has no bearing on the official Naismith Girls’ High School Player of the Year choice. The Naismith voting committee will still choose the ultimate winner. That hasn’t stopped Iowa fans from flocking to support their newest star, though.
After all, recent history has demonstrated that Iowa supporters are adept at speaking up. Woliczko will undoubtedly feel the love of the black-and-gold faithful long before she dons her first Iowa uniform, thanks to Caitlin Clark’s electrifying support and the Hawkeyes’ sellout crowds and national fan base. Her journey from overcoming a catastrophic injury to regaining her place among the top players in the country already exemplifies the kind of tenacity and resolve that characterize Iowa women’s basketball. That same spirit propelled Clark and her teammates to unprecedented heights.
And Woliczko may be the next in line to carry on that tradition, if preliminary indications are any guide. Hawkeye supporters have until December 10 to vote for McKenna Woliczko in the Sporting News fan poll. The message from supporters is clear: Iowa women’s basketball’s future is in capable hands, regardless of whether the outcome influences the final decision.
