Every player across Iowa athletics gives the media a fantastic quote from time to time, but when it comes to the team that consistently gives the best quotes, it has to be Iowa women's basketball. 

The Hawkeyes have eagerly opened three practices to the media this summer, and the first of the took place on Thursday. 

Here are some of the best quotes we heard during post-practice media availability: 

 Head coach Jan Jensen on Amari Whiting being a coach's kid: 

"She's a sponge, she's a quick learner. You can just tell that she's just used to - coaches' kids are usually used to getting out of comfort zones - they're used to trying new things and failing, because that's just, you don't get good at something until you blow a cut, blow a read, or whatever. But she's just so eager and coming in with a lot of experience, and just a really bright light. She's really engaging. She's so happy to be here." 

Jensen on preparing new faces for the physicality of the Big Ten: 

"I don't really start that right now. You talk to them about it, the new ones, especially the freshmen, it's bigger, faster, stronger already, and they got so much going in their minds, like half the time they're like wondering, can I make this layup right? That is, you're like, you're going to get pounded, it's going to be so physical. They kind of know that by watching, but you don't know it until you play." 

Oklahoma State transfer Amari Whiting on Iowa's team culture: 

"These girls have just been great, the culture Jan has built, and just who they are, they're good people, but yeah, I mean, being a senior and just kind of knowing how it goes now, not obviously what I wanted, but now that I'm in the position, I just feel like it's been easier to kind of get to know girls, and like I said, they're all easy going, so it's been awesome."

Taylor Stremlow on potentially playing three more years of basketball: 

"I think that's awesome. It's just a great opportunity for all of us to have that education wise, and also basketball. It's pretty incredible." 

How Ava Heiden has grown as a leader over the course of her career: 

"I think you guys [the media] were able to see that last year, a little bit. Being a little bit more vocal was my main thing. I'm very much a quiet person at baseline, but she [Jensen] really pushed me to be louder on the court, and then lead off the court too, and kind of helping the new people get a little bit more acclimated and tell them where they need to go, tell them to set cross screens or screen aways, pin out stuff like that. Use my voice to help them with that." 

Don't miss out on our Roundtable community and the latest news! It's completely FREE to join and gives you the chance to win FREE Hawkeye swag. 

Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the FREE Roundtable APP and stay even more connected and get notified when new articles are posted. 

Click here to join the fun! 

HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at [email protected]