Iowa recruit Layla Hays: ‘There are so many reasons’ she chose the Hawkeyes

IOWA CITY — Layla Hays’ mind was made up, well before she stepped on the plane for a five-hour flight to the Midwest.

“I’ve known for a while now that I was going to commit (to the University of Iowa women’s basketball program),” Hays said via phone call Monday afternoon.

“But since I was granted a second visit (due to Iowa’s recent coaching change), I was going to use it to surprise them.”

A 6-foot-5 senior post from Wasilla, Alaska, Hays pledged to the Hawkeyes on Saturday.

“There are so many reasons,” Hays said. “They have had a place in my heart since my first visit.

“The way the coaches develop posts ... I was looking for a family, and I found it at Iowa. I feel like a connected with (Coach) Jan (Jensen) so well.”

Hays said she was offered a scholarship in the summer of 2023, before her junior year. She becomes the third member of Iowa’s recruiting class of 2025, joining Addie Deal and Journey Houston.

All three are ranked in ESPN’s top 100 senior recruits; Hays is No. 68.

With a population of nearly 10,000, Wasilla is the fourth largest city in Alaska, located about 40 miles north of Anchorage.

Hays led Wasilla High to state championships in volleyball and basketball as a junior.

“I enjoy playing in the post,” Hays said. “I like to go against girls my size. I love to block shots, I love to rebound, and I love to score.”

Hays picked the Hawkeyes over Duke, Indiana, North Carolina, Illinois, Nebraska, Gonzaga and Washington.

Her older sister, Bella Hays, is a redshirt sophmore at Eastern Washington University, a member of the Big Sky Conference.

“She’s 6-4, and my brother is 6-7,” Layla said. “They humbled me a lot when we were younger.”

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com