Former Iowa player Molly Davis on the current Hawkeyes: ‘They’re really freaking good’

IOWA CITY — The loudest ovation of the afternoon at Carver-Hawkeye Arena came not for a single play, or a single player.

It came, after the first quarter, for a former player on the visitor’s bench.

Without the trademark headband with which she played during the zenith of Iowa women’s basketball, Molly Davis is serving as a graduate assistant the University of Evansville.

“It felt really good to be back,” Davis said afterward. “I’m so grateful for the two years I head here. Little me never would have ever imagined that.

“To see the Hawkeye fans, wearing my NIL shirts, it was amazing.”

Davis was a popular backup point guard behind Caitlin Clark, during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, both of which ended with Iowa in the NCAA championship game.

She previously had played at Central Michigan.

“I have to give a huge shoutout to Coach Raina (Harmon),” Davis said, referring to the former Iowa assistant who is now head coach at Florida Gulf Coast. “I wouldn’t have been here without her.”

Evansville has only two full-time assistant coaches, so Davis is busy.

“Pretty hands-on,” she said. “I do a lot of scouting.”

Davis’ presence was the main reason this game — a 119-43 Iowa rout — was scheduled.

“I love that kid,” Iowa Coach Jan Jensen said. “Talk to players from that era, and they agree ... we probably don’t do a lot of the things we did those two seasons without Molly Davis.”

Davis’ take on the present Iowa team?

“They’re really freaking good,” she said.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com