Chit-Chat Wright is ‘pass-first,’ ‘lead-by-example’ point guard candidate

IOWA CITY — Despite her nickname, Chazadi Wright is neither chitty nor chatty.

“I’ve always been more lead-by-example,” she said at Iowa women’s basketball media day Tuesday morning at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. “I’m not very talkative.”

The nickname — “Chit-Chat” — was coined by an AAU teammate years ago, because Wright was so quiet.

That’s not the demeanor of the typical Iowa point guard.

“With (Samantha) Logic, (Kathleen) Doyle, (Caitlin) Clark and (Lucy) Olsen, we’ve had some vocal personalities,” Iowa Coach Jan Jensen said. “Chit-Chat is quiet.

“She’s definitely pass-first, in capital letters. She’s so generous.”

Wright comes to Iowa from Georgia Tech, where she played in 33 games in her freshman season, starting 12, as the Yellow Jackets went 22-11 and reached the NCAA tournament.

She averaged 7.2 points per game, posting 86 assists against 39 turnovers.

“I’m trying to change my mindset and think more about scoring,” said Wright, who is an option at point guard, along with Addie Deal and Taylor Stremlow.

An Atlanta native, Wright called Iowa City “a lot more chill. It’s quiet. It’s slower. Atlanta is a lot more faster pace. Here, I’m able to breathe and think.”

Wright is one sophomore transfer; the other is Emely Rodriguez, who played one season at Central Florida.

The evolution of a fan favorite

It happened so quickly.

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Shortly after her arrival in Iowa City, Taylor Stremlow became, undoubtedly, one of the favorites at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

How? Why?

“I love basketball, and I love Iowa,” Stremlow said Tuesday. “I think people love my passion, and I’m definitely passionate about this place. I appreciate their love. I don’t know why I deserve it.”

Stremlow said she is “100 percent” more comfortable and confident now as a sophomore.

“I’m a person that likes to be in control of the situation. Freshman year, it was so much harder,” she said. “I try to be a go-to for people. When they’re in doubt, I want to be here. I want to be an ear, a shoulder.”

Hawkeyes start at No. 21

Shortly after the Hawkeyes retreated to the locker room and Media Day festivities closed, the Associated Press preseason poll dropped.

Iowa opens at No. 21 after a 23-11 season in which it reached the NCAA tournament second round.

Reigning NCAA champion Connecticut is No. 1, followed by South Carolina, UCLA, Texas and LSU.

The Hawkeyes get a shot at UConn on Dec. 20 at Brooklyn, N.Y.

Other Big Ten teams in the top 25 are Maryland (10th), Michigan (13th), USC (18th) and Michigan State (23rd).

Iowa State is No. 14. The Hawkeyes play at Ames on Dec. 10.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com