Iowa lands Mckenna Woliczko, its highest-ranked recruit since Caitlin Clark

McKenna Woliczko, ranked No. 6 in the SportsCenter NEXT 100 for the class of 2026, has committed to Iowa. The 6-foot-2 forward from Archbishop Mitty High School in California becomes coach Jan Jensen’s top-rated recruit in the post-Caitlin Clark era. Known for her star potential, Woliczko has already drawn comparisons to Clark, though she grew up admiring past Iowa standouts like Megan Gustafson and Monika Czinano. Before suffering an ACL tear that sidelined her junior season and summer play, she led Mitty to the Nike TOC Championship and earned All-Star Five honors at both the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup.

Despite her injury, Woliczko has steadily progressed through rehab and looks toward late October as a key recovery milestone. She says she’s found inspiration in hearing how many WNBA greats overcame similar setbacks and credits her support system of coaches, family, and friends for helping her through the process. On the court, she’s known for her relentlessness in the paint, excelling in rebounding and second-chance scoring opportunities, while also beginning to expand her range and ball-handling before the injury.

When it came to her college decision, Woliczko narrowed her choices to Iowa and South Carolina. She described the process as difficult, praising both programs and even receiving kind words from Dawn Staley after a thank-you note. Ultimately, she chose Iowa because of her connection with Jensen, the strong team culture, and the sense of belonging she felt in Iowa City. With her commitment, the Hawkeyes add a marquee talent to their 2026 class and remain in the mix for other top prospects.