Iowa women’s basketball has yet another source of energy to boost the team — this time in the form of first-year guard Taylor Stremlow. While the first-year guard is a new name on the Hawkeyes’ roster, Stremlow’s confidence has created both personal opportunities and team contributions.
Hailing from Verona, Wisconsin, Stremlow was ranked as the No. 88 overall prospect by ESPN in the Class of 2024 and averaged 16.1 points per game as a junior. She joins a highly-touted freshman class that is regarded as one of the top classes in the country.
“We have a really good freshman class, and Taylor Stremlow, she’s good,” Jensen said. “She’s crafty, she’s smart, and she’s a competitor. The intangibles, she’s mature in. She’s still a freshman in some of the decisions, but I’ll take that any day. And I love what I’m seeing out of Taylor Stremlow.”
Despite growing up near rival Wisconsin, the first-year player was impressed by Iowa’s tradition after the successful careers of coach Lisa Bluder and superstar Caitlin Clark, both of whom led the Hawkeyes to consecutive appearances in the NCAA title game the last two seasons.
“What Caitlin and coach Bluder did here was incredible and really set the stage for those of us that are new here,” Stremlow said prior to the start of the season. “Moving forward for the Iowa women’s basketball team, I think it’s incredible to see. The fans that came for Caitlin and Coach have stayed for all of us. They’re just as invested and just as excited, which is pretty incredible.”
Clark moved on to the WNBA after the season, and Bluder stunned many by announcing her retirement weeks later. Associate head coach Jan Jensen stepped in as head coach, and the transition has been smooth for Stremlow.
“We don’t have a lot of risk-takers yet,” Jensen said. “We have a lot of youth. The biggest risk taker we have is Taylor Stremlow, and she’s made some pretty fun, flashier passes.”
Stremlow’s first game inside raucous Carver-Hawkeye Arena came on Oct. 30 in an exhibition contest against Missouri Western State.
Iowa bested the Griffons, 110-55, and Stremlow played just over 25 minutes, the third-most on the squad behind third-year Taylor McCabe and fourth-year Lucy Olsen. The first-year tallied nine rebounds, two assists, a steal, and six points off the bench in the victory.
Stremlow and the Hawkeyes kept the momentum rolling with a 91-73 win in the season-opener against Northern Illinois on Nov. 6. The guard logged two points and three rebounds but also improved in the form of five assists and two steals in 22 minutes of action.
In addition to her impressive numbers, Stremlow was praised for her confidence and energy, especially after a sluggish first quarter that saw the Hawkeyes lead by only one point.
“I think her personality has that energy,” fourth-year guard Lucy Olsen said after the game. “She came in, she’s like, ‘Alright, let’s get a stop!’ She has some swag to her, offensively and defensively. She’s not afraid to do anything. I think we needed that little kick. She came in and did a really good job stepping up both offensively and defensively.”
The first-year’s trend of pairing notable stats with a confident and energetic personality has continued in the games following the season opener. Stremlow has scored in every game this season except the 86-73 victory at Drake on Nov. 17.
Stremlow’s performance off the bench has garnered plenty of attention from Jensen and the coaching staff.
“You can argue that Taylor Stremlow is a pretty heck of a good sixth player,” Jensen said after the Toledo game on Nov. 13.
Despite being a freshman, Stremlow has already built strong relationships with her teammates.
“I’d say relationships all around have been the greatest part of being here so far,” Stremlow said before the season began. “I was actually surprised with how quickly I connected with everybody in different ways. All the girls that have been here, I felt like I didn’t miss a beat getting to know them and getting close with them. They’ve been great.”