Hawkeyes get verbal commitment from Davenport North's Jinaya Houston

On signing day Wednesday, Davenport North junior Jinaya Houston put herself on-deck to sign next year by verbally committing to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

A 6-foot-1 guard, Houston averaged 21.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore.

'I've been to Iowa's camps since I was in fifth grade,' Houston said. 'I clicked with all the players. They are all fun, nice and welcoming. And the coaches, I feel the same way about them.'

Houston shot 52.9 percent from the field last year, and 84.8 percent from the free-throw line. She is a two-time first-team all-MAC selection, and earned second team all-state as a sophomore.

Houston said that Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder envisions her playing at off-guard or small forward for the Hawkeyes.

'That's what I play with All-Iowa Attack,' Houston said, speaking about her club team. 'That's what they see me playing.'

Her AAU coach Dickson Jensen said Houston finishes drives 'on the rim' and her athletic ability was exceptional.

'She's the best defender I maybe have ever coached,' Jensen said. 'With her length, it is hard to pass around her. And her feet move, so she stays in front of you.'

Houston only started on the AAU circuit this past year, which is why, Jensen said, she may not show up on national recruiting lists ... yet.

'She'll be a Top 50 kid before she leaves high school,' Jensen said. 'She's as athletic a wing as there is in the country.' Houston's top 5 list included Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan and Colorado, and she narrowed it down to Missouri and Iowa after taking visits to each location last month.

'Distance was key,' Houston said. 'I wanted my friends and family to come see me play games. That was a big thing.'

The junior wanted the distraction of her college commitment taken care of before the season started. Davenport North has never been to the state tournament, and the Wildcats lost in a Class 4A regional final last year to Cedar Rapids Xavier, 65-52.

Houston is the first recruit in the 2017 class for Bluder.