Recruitment Update: April 22nd, 2025

Here are a few athletes that have recently committed or been offered to compete at the next level. All these players have shown off their skill-sets over the years with their varsity team and that has helped them prove to recruiters that they have what it takes to suit up following their high school careers.   Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!    [player_tooltip player_id='946938' first='Jenna' last='Benjamin'] picked up her first official offer last night to compete at the next level following high school. This offer was to Southwestern College in Kansas. Like we always say, this might be the first but I don't think it's going to be the last for Benjamin. Coming off of a State Title and Benjamin is still hungry to become the best version of herself. Right now she is currently just training in her off-season but I think she will still receive love from the college levels over the next few months. I know a handful of coaching staffs that have asked about Jenna in the past and they all seem to still have interest. As long as she continues to be herself and play the game the right way, it should all work out for the best.     [player_tooltip player_id='881974' first='Emma' last='Zabel'] of East Buchanan High School and [program_tooltip program_id='715980' first='Team' last='Iowa'] AAU recently took her first college visit this past week to Briar Cliff. Zabel, a 6'0 Center, is a work in progression but also someone that has shown glimpses of possessing some really special skill out on the floor at times. This AAU season, Zabel has taken over as her team's main producer in the middle. She is by far the tallest prospect on her team and she controls the middle with authority because of that. She possesses multiple counter moves with her back to the basket, if she is ever cut off but mainly - she is taller than her matchups so she can just go up and over. Defensively, as you could imagine, Zabel is a force that others have to recognize when they drive or else it will end in a block, tip, or deflection. All in all, a lot to like out of Zabel as her recruitment is just starting to heat up.     We mentioned [player_tooltip player_id='795874' first='LJ' last='Maehl'] of [program_tooltip program_id='712377' first='All' last='Iowa Attack'] EYCL prior to her team's event in Waukee a few weeks ago. We mentioned in that piece that LJ is one to keep an eye on. You don't have too many prospect over 6'0, who can move like she does. LJ is still considered a SF as she primarily plays the 4 spot with whichever team she is lacing up with. After our mention, that very tournament LJ received her second D2 offer. This time from Coach Austin Meyer and NW Missouri State. At this point I would imagine that this is a prospect who will be playing at that D2 level in some form or fashion when she finally does commit. Obviously any D3, NAIA, or JUCO would love to have her for a few years but I think the chances of that are slim-to-none at this point in the process.     [player_tooltip player_id='609457' first='Sacha' last='Alesch'] of BG High School has recently received an offer to compete at the D3 level following her high school career. Alesch was offered by HC - Coach Weiland of Central (Dutch) last week to keep things rolling after this next twelve months. When speaking on Alesch's play style or what she brings to the game, she brings energy, a lights out shooting ability off of the ball, a solid passing game, elite vision, and a willingness to adapt in any given moment. We have had SA at a few PGH events of the years and there is one thing that is for sure, this is the definition of a lights out shooter at the Varsity level. How does that translate to the next level? Too early to tell but I have a feeling that we will definitely be seeing more of Alesch in the future. That's for sure.     Aliyah Al-Hameed graduated high school in 2024 from Waukee NW and signed onto NW Missouri State before entering the transfer portal this Spring. Al-Hameed has recently committed to come back home to Iowa to compete at the JUCO level with DMACC out of Des Moines. During the high school days, Al-Hameed was a calculated guard that was always willing to mix it up physically with anyone in her way when she was attacking the basket. I'm sure that her time this past season with the Bearcats has only made her more seasoned and skilled so I can't wait to see what she puts together at DMACC this next year with her recent commitment.

Here are a few athletes that have recently committed or been offered to compete at the next level. All these players have shown off their skill-sets over the years with their varsity team and that has helped them prove to recruiters that they have what it takes to suit up following their high school careers.