IOWA CITY — Yes, there have been several trips to the Final Four, Big Ten Tournament titles, sold-out crowds and even an appearance on stage during a Saturday Night Live curtain call.
But what sticks out the most for the four seniors who celebrated their careers at Iowa after a huge 62-44 win over Michigan on Sunday is the behind-the-scenes work and camaraderie.
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Kylie Feuerbach, Jada Gyamfi, Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke – who all played with each other on the All-Iowa Attack AAU squad while in high school – acknowledged their families, coaches, teammates and the Hawkeye fanbase in an emotional ceremony mid-court.
“I just want to say thank you to every – goodness,” Stuelke managed to get out before breaking into tears.
Head coach Jan Jensen also got choked up while talking about the final major piece of the Caitlin Clark era.
“It’s easy to see why these four have been so special, and we talked about the accomplishments. But the thing is, our coaching staff, we get to see every day is the type of young women these four are – I’m going to choke up myself; thanks, Hannah,” Jensen said. “We had such a great leader in Lisa Bluder and a remarkable era of Kate [Martin] and Caitlin [Clark] and Gabbie [Marshall], which is amazing. And yet when the baton passed, these four, along with Syd [Affolter], who is on our staff, they didn’t skip a beat.”
Trusting the process
Feuerbach, a guard from Sycamore, Illinois, started her college career at her parents’ alma mater, Iowa State, in the 2020-21 season – the same season her good friend and former All-Iowa Attack teammate Clark began her historic run at Iowa. After her freshman year at ISU, she entered the transfer portal and joined the Hawkeyes in 2021-22.
Gyamfi, a forward from Johnston, Iowa, McCabe, a guard from Fremont, Nebraska, and Stuelke, a forward from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, made up Iowa’s incoming freshman class in 2022-23. That season, Feuerbach redshirted due to an injury sustained in the off-season.
The tide began to change for Iowa women’s basketball – and the sport as a whole – that season as Clark gained national attention with her logo 3-pointers, pinpoint passes and fiery persona on the court.
The Hawkeyes won their second straight Big Ten Tournament championship, advanced to the Final Four for the first time in 30 years and played in their first-ever national championship game. Although they lost to LSU, 102-85, in the title game, the Hawkeyes’ rock star status was secured as they sold out the 15,000-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the entire next season.
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While Stuelke was named the Big Ten’s Sixth Player of the Year her freshman year and was named to the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four All-Tournament Team as a sophomore, McCabe and Gyamfi saw limited minutes their first couple of years.
After Clark’s class graduated in 2024, Feuerbach and McCabe cracked the starting lineup for the first time. Jensen pointed out that they stayed on course and stuck together, even in limited roles behind big stars.
“I think with any time there’s a transition like we had – and it’s just such a transient world in sports now. It’s unfortunate, but you can go to the portal, you can play right away, and all the things, and just a lot of people always in these kids’ ears,” Jensen told reporters in a postgame press conference Sunday.
“It was just really cool for this group. They loved it here so much, and they wanted to continue being a part of it. I think it’s a great example for kids everywhere and families everywhere that when you got something pretty special, be careful in trading it in just for whether it’s minutes or proximity, or what have you, or money.
“These guys, it wasn’t quite as big a deal a couple years ago, but I think the fact that they were role players in the early years, and then, I just said, ‘Hey, let’s, let’s make your era special. I think we got some possibilities here,’ and that really excited them.”
Stuelke has continued to shine, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors both her sophomore and junior years. Named to the Preseason First Team All-Big Ten and Naismith Trophy Preseason National Player of the Year Watch List before her senior year, she is averaging 13.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
Feuerbach has been a consistent starter in her senior and graduate years. While just averaging 5.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game this season, she provides a defensive spark that has fueled the Hawkeyes.
“We put Kylie on the very best player every game in and every game out, and she works tirelessly to disrupt,” Jensen said.
Gyamfi and McCabe were in street clothes during their senior day ceremony (although McCabe wore her No. 2 jersey) as they both have suffered injuries. Gyamfi underwent a knee procedure in December, but she may be cleared for post-season play. McCabe, who was enjoying her most productive season as a Hawkeye, tore her ACL in the opening minute of the Ohio State game Jan. 25, ending her season and, ultimately, her collegiate career.
They both acknowledged the Hawkeye fanbase during the senior day ceremony.
“Our experience has been pretty special from two Big Ten Tournament championships to two Final Fours and amazing wins on the best stage in the country right here in front of the best fans in the country as well,” McCabe said.
“Thank you guys, for all your support in selling out this place as often as you do. You don’t get that everywhere. Iowa City is a special place. And thank you to my teammates; I love you guys. Yep, that’s it,” Gyamfi said before nearly breaking out in tears.
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Still paving the path
While some questioned whether the hype and fans would fade after Clark graduated, Hawkeye fever is still going strong. Carver-Hawkeye Arena has sold out for the third straight season and shows no signs of slowing down.
This year’s team has exceeded expectations so far. On a four-game winning streak, Iowa is heading into its final regular season games against Illinois and Wisconsin, sitting at second place in the Big Ten standings.
The Hawkeyes hope to secure a double-bye in the conference tournament next week in Indianapolis and are looking to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament after not hosting last year for the first time since 2019.
Jensen attributes this success to the way her veterans have led the team, primarily made up of underclassmen.
“Come what may the rest of the year, I think this group has put their own mark on it. Yes, the Final Fours are awesome, and that’s what we’re shooting for, right? But I think the way they’re playing and ushering in these young kids – we’re younger than we’re older,” Jensen said. “I just think they knew the standard. They helped us continue to push the standard. Great young women; I love them.”