McKenna Woliczko.
- Thread starter BigD
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judzeehawk
Well-Known Member
Thanks for posting.
Iowa women’s basketball freshman-to-be McKenna Woliczko completed her All-Star tour Friday, playing in the 2026 Jordan Brand Classic in Torrance, Calif. Woliczko had already played in the McDonald’s All-American game in Glendale, Ariz., and Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore. At the Nike Hoop Summit, she recorded the first double- double in event history (10 points, 13 rebounds).
The 6-foot-2 forward is a five-star recruit. As a senior she averaged 20.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game for Archbishop Mitty in San Jose, Calif.
The 6-foot-2 forward is a five-star recruit. As a senior she averaged 20.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game for Archbishop Mitty in San Jose, Calif.
guffus
Well-Known Member
McKenna in every way seems to be the real deal worthy of her 5-star rating.
But after Addie Deal's disappointing freshman season, I think Iowa fans are a little cautious about rushing out and asking Wolizcko to be All Big Ten on Day 1. Like all freshman, she will make her freshan mistakes this upcoming season.
But knowing all that, she looks really, really good like right now already.
But after Addie Deal's disappointing freshman season, I think Iowa fans are a little cautious about rushing out and asking Wolizcko to be All Big Ten on Day 1. Like all freshman, she will make her freshan mistakes this upcoming season.
But knowing all that, she looks really, really good like right now already.
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NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
One difference is position. Adjusting as a scoring guard from high school to college is a leap. In high school, she was just light years better than her competition. Shots come easy, and your coach probably told her to shoot it every time. In college, Addie had much better competition and had to play within a system of equally talented players.
Power forward should translate much quicker. McKenna plays hard D, rebounds, and does her damage around the hoop. Those skill should be an easier adjustment to the college level. I have her penciled in to start from Day 1. We'll see.
I don't know...I think an opposite argument could also be made.
As a guard, Deal had multiple open looks from 3 simply because of Iowa's constant threat to throw it inside to a 1st Team BTen Center. Opponent defenses had to sag and overcompensate for Heiden's talent, and Deal actually had it about as easy as any Guard could from that perspective. Deal's struggles weren't because of being short, or lack of speed, or because she was unable to get open looks -- she just shot the ball like crap.
On the other hand, star h.s. Forwards were typically one of the tallest players on the court, and certainly taller and better than anyone guarding them. That won't be the case in BTen play, and a Fr. Forward making the transition will likely have to rely more on their 10-ft shots than close-in layups. McKenna may well be better at making those adjustments than Deal was, but I think the challenges will be significant for her as well.
Turnovers were an issue for Deal; I wouldn't be surprised if McKenna struggles in that area too as she tries to force the ball into Heiden, but we shall see...
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Yes, the opposite argument can be made. I just don't agree with it here. Hustle, tenacity, rim running, physicality, sticky D, boards. Those things are hard to coach. The player just has them. McKenna apparently does. Those things travel better than outside shooting and offensive skill, IMHO. McKenna will absolutely have growing pains, but I would bet good money she has a much better season than Deal did as a freshman. By a long shot.
I tend to agree with @Grady , but Houston's success this past year supports your argument. Players that can contribute in multiple ways without having to be an offensive fulcrum might have an easier transition.
I think defense is a harder transition for a 4 or a 5 (see Heiden and Hayes), but I think that is an incoming strength for Woliczko, which should help.
guffus
Well-Known Member
I have a hard time seeing Layla Hays playing any other position besides the 5. I guess the more interesting question is could Heiden play the 4 when both Hays and Heiden are in the game? I have a hunch it wouldn't work out just like just like it didn't totally work back when Stuelke and OGrady both started at the same time.
Although I think Heiden is already better than Stuelke and Hays will eventually be better than OGrady so maybe that's not a fair comparison.
Although I think Heiden is already better than Stuelke and Hays will eventually be better than OGrady so maybe that's not a fair comparison.
judzeehawk
Well-Known Member
Ava does have a 3 point shot. I'm looking for it to come into play this year.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
I did not see anything out of Hays other than her size that led me to believe she could play at this level. That said, she mostly just looked overwhelmed and physically not ready. The experiences she got this year will help her grow. She has one of the best post coaches and one of the best post players in the country to learn from. I am expecting her to look more comfortable and productive in her sophomore year, and hope she can play rotation minutes with Heiden, so like 10-15 minutes per night of effective play. That would be the ideal scenario.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
That makes my point better than I did. Comparing Houston and Deal's freshmen years is a great example of how doing all the other stuff well, other than scoring, can lead to a strong freshmen season. And, McKenna is bigger and more athletic than Houston. She plays like Stuelke, but with more ceiling. This team could be really good.
You know who else was like a more skilled Stuelke? Ava Jones. The effect on the Hawk WBB program pales in comparison to what she and her family have been through, but Ava Jones was Wolizcko with a slightly lower star rating (Woliczko is a 97 on ESPN's hoopgurlz, Jones was a 93). She would have been a junior this past season.
I see Ava in our building on campus quite a bit (she stops by to talk to my colleague next door). She is a neat young woman who continues to defy odds and do impressive things.
judzeehawk
Well-Known Member
I can remember when Monika was a freshman. Meagan was a senior that year and I thought Monika was awful. I even said she's not going to make at all! Did Monika ever prove me wrong! Freshman year is the most difficult year and usually players made big strides in their sophomore year. I'm counting on Layla following in Monika's footsteps.....................................Hopefully.
High hopes for McKenna, however I'm not sure how big her impact will be her freshman year. Great height, length and mobility, But, she doesn't have the toughness yet. I actually think that Bjorn (Texas) will have a better freshamn year than Woliczko. It will be fun to watch.
Hawkboys
Well-Known Member
Mckenna's gonna get pushed around physically in the B1G. Not due to effort or technique, just due to weight. She'll need to add 10-15#s to be a good 3 or 20+ #s to be a strong 4.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Disagree with both of you gents. Would be willing to wager money on a really good Freshman campaign for McKenna. She has been playing some elite level talent in the AllStar circuit and more than holding her own. She also naturally plays the position that clearly is our weakest roster spot at the moment. I believe she will start, but if not, she will play. We shall see,
Hawkboys
Well-Known Member
I'm a huge McKenna fan. She'll have a far better career than Hannah. But she's really thin and B1G 4s and 5s are going to move her off her spots consistently next year. She'll be able to offset it some thought athleticism, hustle and technique. But she'll struggle some too.
