Iowa State Women’s Basketball Signs Top 10 2023 Class
The Iowa State Cyclones women’s basketball team began assembling talent for its 2023-24 team as the NCAA’s early-signing period opened on Wednesday.
The Cyclones, led by coach Bill Fennelly, is coming off a 2021-22 in which it reached the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 for the first time since 2010. The Cyclones return nearly every player from last year’s team, including Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year and the program’s all-time leading scorer, guard-forward Ashley Joens. She and guard Emily Ryan are on the National Player of the Year watch list. Guard Lexi Donarski is the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Before the signing period, the Cyclones had five commitments. The Cyclones nabbed three Top 50 recruits in forward Jalynn Bristow, forward Addy Brown and center Audi Crooks. The Cyclones also got a commitment from Joens’ younger sister, Kelsey.
All five signed on Wednesday. Per ESPN Hoop Gurlz, the class was No. 10 in the country.
Iowa State’s 2023 recruiting class is below. Players who confirmed as signed are noted below. The list below also includes the Cyclones’ season-opening roster.
The early-signing window closes on Nov. 16.
Iowa State Women’s Basketball 2023 Recruiting Class
F Jalynn Bristow, 6-3, Rider (Wichita Falls, TX) – Signed
F Addy Brown, 6-2, Derby (Derby, KS) – Signed
C Audi Crooks, 6-3, Bishop Carrigan (Algona, IA) – Signed
G Arianna Jackson, 5-8, Roosevelt (Des Moines, IA) – Signed
G Kelsey Joens, 5-9, Iowa City (Iowa) – Signed
(ESPN.com ranks Brown No. 31, Bristow No. 47 and Crooks No. 57 in its Top 100)
2022-23 Season-Opening Roster
F Nyamer Diew (6-2, Jr.), G Denae Fritz (5-11, Fr.), G Shantavia Dawkins (5-7, Fr.), C Stephanie Soares (6-6, Sr.), G Emily Ryan (5-11, Jr.), G Mary Kate King (5-3, So.), G Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw (5-10, Sr.), F Izzi Zingaro (6-4, So.), G Lexi Donarski (6-0, Jr.), G/F Ashley Joens (6-1, Sr.), C Beatriz Jordão (6-3, Sr.), F Morgan Kane (6-3, Sr.), F Maggie Vick (6-2, So.).
Player in Bold: Notes a player who is a senior and may be out of eligibility after this season, depending on whether they have a COVID-19 waiver.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
