Jan Jensen and Co. bring back a talented roster but also need to fill some roster spots through the transfer portal.
We're just over two weeks into the busy grind that is the transfer portal, and Iowa women's basketball has been busy bolstering its 2026-27 roster.
After winning 27 games and earning a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, head coach Jan Jensen and Co. aren't slowing down anytime soon. The Hawkeyes returned most of their key pieces from last season's team and look to again be a contender in the Big Ten next year.
Iowa isn't done in the transfer portal, but without further adieu, here's what its 2026-27 roster looks like at the moment:
Incoming Transfers
G Dani Carnegie: Carnegie is on her third school in as many years, but all signs point to Iowa City being the final stop of her college career. A lot can change by March 2027, but Carnegie played with starting point guard Chit-Chat Wright at Georgia Tech in 2024-25. Relationships go a long way in this sport, but Carnegie's accolades also speak for themselves. She earned First-Team All-Sec honors after posting 17.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists for Georgia last year. It wouldn't be surprising to see Carnegie emerge as one of the Hawkeyes' top shooters in 2026-27.
“Dani is a great young woman, and we are thrilled she is joining our program,” Jensen said in a statement after Carnegie signed. “She is a tremendous combo guard and will be a valuable piece heading into next year. Dani is a dynamic three-level scorer that can defend really well. We are really excited about what she brings to the table.”
G Amari Whiting: Whiting is also on her third school, but Iowa is guaranteed to be the last stop on her journey. She played her first two seasons of college basketball at BYU for her mother, Amber Whiting, but left for Oklahoma State after her mother was fired in 2025. Whiting started every game for the Cowgirls in 2026, recording 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.
“We are so excited to add Amari to our program,” Jensen said in a statement after Whiting signed. “She is a great young woman first and foremost. Amari has a great basketball IQ, and she is not only a great defender, but she loves defense. Amari is going to be a fantastic fit for her final season at Iowa.”
Returners
G Taylor Stremlow (Junior in 2027)
C Ava Heiden (Junior in 2027)
G Journey Houston (Sophomore in 2027)
G Chit-Chat Wright (Junior in 2027)
C Layla Hays (Sophomore in 2027)
Incoming Freshman
G McKenna Woliczko
How many roster spots does Iowa have left?
The NCAA now allows teams to have 15 scholarship players on their rosters, so Iowa still has seven spots left to fill. The Hawkeyes already have a formidable team as is, but Jensen may look for additional shooting help in the portal. Iowa struggled mightily from three-point range in the postseason, and it led to a shocking upset loss to No. 10 seed Virginia in the second round.
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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io