Addie Deal’s breakout came just in time as Iowa’s schedule turns ferocious

IOWA CITY — Admit it. When you saw Addie Deal’s recruiting resume, you saw stars (all five of them), didn’t you?

Did you expect superstardom the moment she stepped on campus?

Jan Jensen didn’t.

“I wasn’t expecting it from Day 1,” Jensen said late Thursday night, after Iowa’s 74-66 victory over Oregon.

“I knew it was a matter of time. It’s not arbitrary. Sometimes, you have to go through a little adversity, get a little hunger.”

The 18th overall prospect in the 2025 freshman class, Deal showed Thursday what the hype was about.

She made 7 of 9 shots (hitting all four of her 3-point attempts) in a career-high 18-point outpouring — in 20 minutes.

A five-star performance, to be sure.

“Felt great,” Deal said. “I’ve been putting in extra work before, during and after practice.

“I thought we did a great job executing our offense, and the shots were open.”

Sitting beside Deal on the interview dais, Hannah Stuelke was queried about Deal’s performance.

“I’m so hyped,” Stuelke said. “Really proud of her. There’s more to come, I’m sure.”

Jensen met with Deal on Wednesday, the day before the breakthrough game.

“I just wanted to check in, remind her about the journey, the process, the belief, the patience,” Jensen said. “She’s been staying the course. She’s been really receptive, and I’m proud of her.

“The (college) game is faster, it’s bigger. The journey is the journey. Everybody’s timing is different. I’m thrilled for her.”

With four ranked opponents in the next five games, the 11th-ranked Hawkeyes (15-2 overall, 6-0 Big Ten) dive into the deep end of their schedule, starting Sunday.

They host No. 15 Michigan State (17-1, 6-1), which — despite a puzzling loss at Wisconsin on Dec. 6 — is off to its best start in school history and has won nine consecutive games.

The Spartans are one of the Big Ten’s most potent outfits, leading the conference in 3-point shooting (.378) and are near the top in most other offensive categories.

Deal’s Thursday breakout further solidifies Iowa’s backcourt depth.

“This was the first time in a long time that all of our guards were healthy,” Jensen said.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com