Has Lisa Bluder and Iowa Landed the Next Caitlin Clark?

OK, disregard the title. I know...I wrote it but it would be unfair to any basketball player in the nation to call them the 'next Caitlin Clark.' But with the departure of Clark and fellow seniors Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall, and Molly Davis, Iowa is looking to reload for the future. On Tuesday they learned that one of the top recruits in the country is coming to Iowa City.

Her name is Addison Deal. And her commitment to Iowa is a very big 'Deal'! The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Addie is a five-star recruit, the 12th-ranked player in the nation in the class of 2025, and the number-one player in the state of California. Deal is a 6-foot guard who plays at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. The Gazette reports that she joins fellow five-star player Journey Houston of Davenport North in Iowa's class of 2025.

Deal picked the Hawkeyes over some of the top basketball programs in the nation including LSU, Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana, and Iowa State. In an interview with the Gazette Deal stated that she loves Iowa, and the coaching staff, and believes that the Hawkeye's style of play will suit her game.

The Gazette reports that Deal was among a group of recruits that Iowa in attendance for the March 3rd home game against Ohio State. Deal got to experience College Gameday at Carver and told the Gazette it was loud the whole time. She committed to Iowa that day.

Deal suffered a season-ending ankle injury in December, but said she is recovering and will be ready for the club season this summer.

Welcome to Iowa, Addison!