Iowa reportedly in contact with Arkansas transfer F Maryam Dauda

[Zstatman]

Story by Josh Helmer from USA Today

The Iowa Hawkeyes have already made one big splash this offseason with the addition of Villanova transfer point guard Lucy Olsen.

Olsen was the NCAA's third-leading scorer last season, averaging 23.3 points per game on a career-best 43.8% field goal shooting figure.

Iowa doesn't want to stop there, though. The Hawkeyes are looking to continue adding serious talent to their roster for the 2024-25 women's college basketball season.

Kyle Huesmann of Hawkeye Report with On3 is reporting that Iowa women's basketball has reached out to Arkansas transfer forward Maryam Dauda.

The 6-foot-4 forward was a consensus five-star recruit in the 2021 class and was a McDonald's All-American. ESPN rated Dauda as the nation's No. 13 overall player in the 2021 class.

A native of Bentonville, Ark., Dauda will be a redshirt junior during the 2024-25 season. Dauda started all 33 games for the Razorbacks this past season, averaging 10.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.2 assists per game in 28.7 minutes of average floor time.

The former Razorback shot 45.5% from the field, 31.9% from 3-point range and 75.6% from the free throw line in the 2023-24 season. Dauda entered the transfer portal on April 25.

Dauda flashed moments of brilliance against some of the best teams on Arkansas' schedule last season. Dauda scored 16 points, blocked four shots and grabbed four rebounds against LSU and she scored 19 points and blocked three shots against national champion South Carolina.

If Iowa could add Dauda to the fold, it would add a proven five to pair with junior forward Hannah Stuelke and it would create one of the Big Ten's best post duos.

Stuelke garnered second-team All-Big Ten honors from the Big Ten's coaches and media after averaging 14.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 62.7% field goal shooting.

Iowa signed one of the nation's top bigs in the 2024 class in center Ava Heiden out of Sherwood High School in Oregon. Heiden was rated as a four-star signee and as the No. 42 player nationally per ESPN.

The Hawkeyes also return center Addison O'Grady who has played in 102 career games and who averaged 3.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game last season. Iowa also brings back junior forward Jada Gyamfi and senior center AJ Ediger.

Adding Dauda to Iowa's 2024-25 roster would represent the latest indication that the Hawkeyes have truly morphed into a national power with longterm staying power.

 

[wwhawk]

At 6'4" Maryam Dauda would add needed depth at the 4 and 5 spots.

But, unless i misunderstand the status of the current roster, aren't all the scholarships committed to current and incoming players?

 

[Zstatman]

Where's there's a will, there's a way................

I used to have 'my people' in the Iowa Athletic Dept but no more. But when I did, I was told that if a roster spot was needed, one would be found.

That means one of two things to me. One would be for someone to be moving on from the current roster. I have no idea who that might be, they all seem pretty happy. But if there is someone on the fence maybe they are given a little nudge. Or maybe they aren't on the fence and are still given a little nudge.

A second thought would be moving Ava Jones to a medical hardship. Again, I really have no idea how this works. In my mind it would only work if you could later bring Ava back off the medical and return her to active status. Watching her recent video, I'd say she will play at some point. When that might be I have no idea. It seems, though, when Ava came to Iowa, we had this discussion and when someone goes on medical leave there is no coming back.

I guess what I do know is that the 5s in college basketball seem to be getting bigger and taller. If we have a shot at bringing in a 6'4" big then we've got to do whatever it takes to make it work.

 

[wwhawk]

A quick search shows Maryland and USC are very interested in landing Dauda.

Cannot see the Iowa staff forcing Ava Jones to go medical and forego ever playing at Iowa. They really are like a family, and family doesn't do that to a family member, no matter what.

Wish we knew how much Swarm $$ there is available. Someone could presumably give up her scholarship and get her tuition etc. paid by NIL money. But how much is available to entice Maryam?

We'll know soon! But either way, it's great to see the Hawks have undeniably become elevated in the view of the nation to be in the mix for top portal talent like Lucy Olsen and HS talent like Addie "the real" Deal.

 

[Zstatman]

from chad leistikow of hawkcentral:

Yes, Iowa WBB is in the mix for 6-4 Arkansas transfer Maryam Dauda, but competition will be stiff.

Also YES, Iowa could add Dauda and move someone else on the roster (or incoming) to walk-on.

The cap is 15 scholarships + max 15 on travel roster, but walk-ons are totally fine.

 

[Zstatman]

from chad leistikow of hawkcentral:

Yes, Iowa WBB is in the mix for 6-4 Arkansas transfer Maryam Dauda, but competition will be stiff.

Also YES, Iowa could add Dauda and move someone else on the roster (or incoming) to walk-on.

The cap is 15 scholarships + max 15 on travel roster, but walk-ons are totally fine.

I hadn't thought about walk ons but it makes sense. Question is who would want to do it? They would have to pay tuition so would have to come up with that money. Maybe NIL plays a part.

 

[thedukeofearl]

The Hawkeye Women are going to get tons of recognition and playing for the National
Championship two years in a row will attract a lot of national attention

Looks like Lisa is loading the Boat

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Now is the time for Iowa to definitely take advantage of the portal with the highly regarded recruits. Two back to back C-ship appearances make it possible. Glad to see.

 

[Teddy]

Now is the time for Iowa to definitely take advantage of the portal with the highly regarded recruits. Two back to back C-ship appearances make it possible. Glad to see.

The NPoYs, 3 of the last 5 seasons I think, helps as well. Bluder and her team have done a very good job recruiting the last several seasons. Iowa WBB has a lot to sell recruits right now. The 25 class are 5 4* recruits. The portal PG this off season. Sounds like the recruits are buying Iowa's pitch.

 

[thedukeofearl]

Looks good

 

[guffus]

The Hawkeye Women are going to get tons of recognition and playing for the National
Championship two years in a row will attract a lot of national attention

Looks like Lisa is loading the Boat

OK, on second thought, looks like Jan is loading the Boat.

 

[Zstatman]

I keep looking to see if there is any news on Dauda. Now I'm wondering if they wanted to get this transition out of the way before moving forward. Time will tell.