11-07-2025
Iowa women's basketball newcomer Addie Deal shares WNBA model
As another session of summer practice wrapped up in Iowa City, freshman Iowa women's basketball guard Addie Deal spoke to reporters about her comfort level with the high expectations set for her, her recruitment to the Hawkeyes, and who she models her game after.
The five-star guard recruit out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., has competed on some of the grandest AAU basketball stages, in the McDonald's All-American Game, the Mamba League, Nike Nationals, USA Basketball minicamp and many other high-profile youth basketball programs.
After getting her first taste of what it's like to be an Iowa Hawkeye, Deal was asked who in particular she models her game after the most.
The 6-foot-tall freshman phenom said that her game is curated off the skillset shown by New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, as Deal idolized the now four-time WNBA All-Star and played for the same AAU program.
"I played for Sabrina Ionescu's team. She was always a role model of mine looking up to her. So, I would say Sabrina," Deal said.
As the Hawkeyes continue their summer practices in preparation for the 2025-26 season, Deal and the rest of the Iowa roster will continue to formulate a clearer picture of who will be leading the charge come early November.
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