Projected Iowa women's basketball starters, bench for 2024-25

2023-24 stats: 23.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.9 steals per game; 43.8% FG, 29.4% 3-point FG, 80.7% FT

Outlook: Lucy Olsen was the NCAA's third-leading scorer a season ago at Villanova. A huge transfer portal win for the Hawkeyes, Olsen immediately takes over Iowa's coveted point guard spot. Olsen's combination of scoring and playmaking should help keep the Hawkeyes atop the Big Ten and in contention for a berth in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Olsen is a surefire All-Big Ten talent.

2023-24 stats: 3.3 points per game; 43.8% FG, 46.1% 3-point FG, 83.3% FT

Outlook: Taylor McCabe slides into the starting rotation. The 1.70 meter tall guard can really shoot from deep. The product from Fremont, Neb., hit 35 three-pointers last season while averaging just 8.1 minutes per game. Those numbers will increase during the 2024-25 basketball season as it is called upon to provide starting production.

2023-24 stats: 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals per game; 55.2% FG, 41.4% 3-point FG, 83.0% FT

Outlook: Sydney Affolter's starring role is finally here. A candidate for the Big Ten's Sixth Player of the Year a season ago, Affolter stepped up her game when guard Molly Davis was sidelined with an injury. This phase of play was encouraging for the 2024/25 season. Affolter is now expected to be one of Iowa's biggest backfield threats alongside Olsen.

2023-24 season stats: 14.0 points, 6.6 rebounds per game; 62.7% FG, 62.9% FT

Outlook: Hannah Stuelke was selected to the All-Big Ten second team by both the league's coaches and media, and her game developed tremendously in her sophomore season. The 1.90 meter tall player is now an experienced veteran and will be one of the focal points of Iowa's offense.

Her play during Iowa's march to the national championship game proved she's ready for any big moment. Stuelke posted double-doubles in Iowa's NCAA Tournament victories over West Virginia and Colorado and scored 23 points in the Final Four victory over UConn.

Outlook: Ava Heiden has the chance to step in straight away and crack the starting lineup. The 6-foot-4 center from Sherwood, Oregon, is the program's first Oregonian. Heiden was ranked as the No. 42 player in ESPN's Class of 2024 rankings.

“Ava is one of the best post players in the country. It has great versatility and mobility. She is also very explosive and has perimeter skills. The combination of her skills and amazing work ethic makes her one of the best in the country. We are thrilled that she has decided to become a Hawkeye,” Iowa women’s basketball head coach Lisa Bluder said of Heiden on national signing day.

Outlook: Iowa has some talented perimeter options. Senior guard Kylie Feuerbach could push for a starting spot and certain rotation minutes.

Sophomore Kennise Johnson could provide some help to Iowa at this point. The Hawkeyes are also very excited about the potential of freshman point guard Aaliyah Guyton, but she is still working to recover from a torn ACL.

New additions Taylor Stremlow, Teagan Mallegni and Callie Levin could also factor into the equation. Mallegni (No. 65) and Stremlow (No. 94) were each ranked as top-100 players in the 2024 signing class, according to ESPN.

Outlook: Senior Addison O'Grady has shown she can handle the big moments and will certainly be part of Iowa's rotation. O'Grady averaged 4.1 points and 2.5 rebounds per game last season. She had five points and four rebounds in Iowa's Elite Eight win over LSU.

Iowa also has senior AJ Ediger and junior Jada Gyamfi as bigs.

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