Teagan Mallegni looks forward to sellout atmosphere at Iowa

IOWA CITY — If you’re an Iowa women’s basketball fan, and you can attend only one high school game next winter, consider a trip to suburban Madison, Wis.

McFarland vs. Verona Area.

That’s Teagan Mallegni vs. Taylor Stremlow.

Hawkeye vs. Hawkeye.

“We haven’t played them before, but we’ve got it scheduled for next year,” said Mallegni, who announced her commitment to Hawkeyes on Saturday.

The addition of Mallegni and Stremlow (who committed in December) reaffirms the Hawkeyes’ recent success in recruiting Wisconsin. Think Megan Gustafson. And McKenna Warnock.

Mallegni is 6-foot guard who just completed her junior season. She led McFarland to a 26-3 record and a spot in the Division 2 state semifinals. Her mother, Sara Mallegni, is McFarland’s head coach.

In a 76-70 semifinal loss to Green Bay Notre Dame, Mallegni compiled 23 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.

She averaged 24.5 points, 11.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3.9 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.

Mallegni enters her senior year with 1,705 career points. She is ranked 59th nationally in the Class of 2024, according to ESPN.

“I’m probably more of a wing or shooting guard than a point guard,” she said. “I like to get my teammates involved.”

For those who stumbled over the phonetics of “Czinano” for the last five years, Mallegni’s name is pronounced “TEE-gan Ma-LANE-ey.” She chose the Hawkeyes over Oregon, Kansas, North Carolina, Duke and Minnesota, among others.

“The relationship I built with the coaches, and the atmosphere they’ve built” are the reasons she chose Iowa, she said. “I was at a couple of their games, and they were both sold out. I loved it.”

The Hawkeyes were 31-7 last season, won the Big Ten tournament and advanced to the championship game of the NCAA tournament.

In addition to Mallegni and Stremlow, Iowa’s Class of 2024, features Ava Heiden (Sherwood, Ore.) and Callie Levin (Solon).

“I think I can contribute,” Mallegni said. “That’s my goal. I’m really excited.”

Mallegni also plays volleyball and is an accomplished musician, playing the cello, bass, saxophone and ukulele.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com