McKenna Woliczko Opens Up About Her ACL Journey, Recruiting Support, and Why Iowa Felt Like Home
When prized Iowa women’s basketball signee McKenna Woliczko sat down on the Nov. 27 episode of The Rush With Travis and Ross, she didn’t shy away from revisiting one of the toughest chapters of her young career the ACL injury that cut short her junior season. But more than the injury itself, what stood out to the 6-foot-2 forward from San Bruno, California, was the overwhelming wave of support she received from the college coaches recruiting her.
Woliczko, ranked as the nation’s No. 6 overall player and No. 2 power forward by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports, had already been a top target for several powerhouse programs. She entered her senior year at Archbishop Mitty High School with a full list of suitors, including South Carolina, USC, Ohio State, and Iowa. But when she tore her ACL an injury that can sometimes make programs rethink their commitments she braced herself for the possibility that her recruitment might shift.
Instead, the opposite happened.
She remembers the moment clearly: the injury was barely public before the news spread on Twitter, and the notifications on her phone started popping up. “As soon as I got hurt, on the way to the ER, things were already on Twitter about it,” she said. “It was definitely very stressful.”
But the next part surprised her. “The day I posted about it, basically every single college head coach recruiting me immediately texted or called me or even reached out to my dad,” she said. “They all told me, ‘Hey, this isn’t going to affect anything. We still think you’re going to be a great player.’”
For a teenager facing her first major injury, the reassurance was more than comforting it was grounding. She recalled that several coaches reminded her just how common ACL tears are, especially in basketball. They pointed to Olympians, pros, and WNBA stars who bounced back and continued to dominate. It helped her see the bigger picture.
“I think the thing that helped me the most was hearing how many great players have torn their ACL and still played at the highest level,” she said. “It put everything in perspective. It happens, and you can get through it.”
And she has. Through rehab, recovery, and the long road back to the court, Woliczko continued evaluating what mattered most as she neared her college decision. Eventually, she narrowed her list and found herself choosing among some of the sport’s most successful programs all offering competitive opportunities, and, of course, substantial NIL packages.
But when she was asked whether NIL money played a role in her final decision, Woliczko didn’t hesitate.
“Not at all, actually,” she said. While she acknowledged the reality of NIL in modern college athletics, she was clear that it wasn’t a deciding factor. “I have agents and my parents who handled most of the money conversations. I knew what different schools were offering, but for me, it wasn’t about that.”
She said she focused instead on the culture, the fit, and where she felt she could thrive both on and off the court. “I don’t need to hear the money stuff. I was just going to go where I felt the most comfortable, and any money is like a bonus.”
In the end, Iowa checked every box.
With head coach Jan Jensen now leading the program and the Hawkeyes continuing to build on the
And she arrives with plenty of buzz. Woliczko is Iowa’s highest-ranked signee since Clark, who finished as the No. 4 overall recruit and No. 2 point guard in the 2020 class. It’s a comparison that brings expectations, but also excitement both for the program and for fans eager to see what the next generation of Hawkeye stars can deliver.
Woliczko won’t take the court in Iowa City until next fall, but her story is already resonating with the fan base. From her resilience through injury to her grounded approach to recruiting and NIL, she’s carrying a maturity far beyond her years one that should serve her well as she steps into one of the biggest spotlights in women’s college basketball.
If the confidence from coaches, the backing of her family, and her own perspective are any indication, she’s more than ready for what comes next.
