How did Iowa State women's basketball recruits perform during the 2021-22 season?
Iowa State women’s basketball’s trip to the Sweet 16 made one thing clear: The Cyclones had been putting in work on the court.
But what about off the court? How has Iowa State been preparing to set the Cyclones up for long-term success? It helps that players like Ashley Joens decided to return for one more season, but she'll be off to the WNBA after next year.
That’s where Iowa State’s 2022, 2023 and even 2024 recruiting classes come in. While the Cyclones have just one commit in the 2022 class, there are four junior players — including another Joens sister — that are already committed to Iowa State, as well as an in-state star who's just a sophomore.
MORE: Ashley Joens explains why she's returning to Iowa State one more year
So, with six (and counting) new players on the horizon, let’s look at how Cyclones women’s basketball recruits performed in the 2021-22 season.
Shantavia Dawkins
Senior | Guard | Southwest Academy (Brampton, Ontario)
WHAT UP CYCLONE NATION!! 🧡❤️🌪@CycloneWBB @BillyFennelly @ISUCoachFen @isucyclone @LadyCyclones pic.twitter.com/PBZ3CGHWrF
— Shantavia Dawkins (@ShantaviaDawkin) April 2, 2021
Iowa State only has one player from the 2022 class committed so far and that’s Dawkins. The 5-foot-10 guard out of Canada helped Southwest Academy to a 32-10 record and a run to the OSBA High School Championships Final 8 this season. Rob Angione, president of the program, called Dawkins “an absolute program changing kid.” She will finish her high school career with a selection to the BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Games.
2021-22 stats: 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game
Kelsey Joens
Junior | Guard | Iowa City High
Joens is a household name at Iowa State, and the Cyclones have another Joens sister in the pipeline. Kelsey Joens’ 21.3 points per game was third-highest in a Class 5A packed with Division I talent. Iowa City High finished with 19-5 record and an appearance in the state tournament, and the Little Hawks should be back next season. Joens’ performance this year made her an easy All-Iowa Elite Team selection.
2021-22 stats: 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game
More: Iowa State women's basketball had a historic 2021-22 season. Next year could be better.
Arianna Jackson
Junior | Guard | Des Moines Roosevelt
Jackson is no stranger to the spotlight, having committed to Iowa State by her sophomore year. She proved last season that she was one of the best shooters in the state, and that success continued this season. Jackson helped Des Moines Roosevelt to a 20-3 record and the quarterfinal round of the state tournament.
2021-22 stats: 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game
Jalynn Bristow
Junior | Forward | Rider (Texas)
Bristow is rated a four-star recruit by ESPN, making her another top recruiting win for Iowa State. She helped Rider to a 20-10 record this season, in which the Raiders made it to the Region I-5A area playoffs. Bristow picked up her 2,000th career point on Feb. 14, and she still has a year of high school ball left to play. She was also selected All-Region and All-State.
2021-22 stats: 27.8 points and 15.5 rebounds per game
More: Iowa State women's basketball's NCAA Tournament run ends with Sweet 16 loss to Creighton
Addy Brown
Junior | Wing | Derby Senior (Kansas)
Brown has found a lot of success in her high school basketball career, and the junior still has one year left. She helped the Panthers to a runner-up finish in the state tournament and a 23-2 record overall this season. Central Kansas Sports named Brown its 6A Girls Player of the Year, and her coach, Daniel Harrison, described her as “one of the hardest workers” he’s coached in his 34 years as bench boss.
2021-22 stats: 14.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game
Aili Tanke
Sophomore | Wing | Johnston
Johnston teammate Jada Gyamfi is headed to Iowa, but Tanke is already committed to Iowa State. As a sophomore, she was the fourth-best scorer on a Dragons’ state title team packed with talent, and helped Johnston to an undefeated season. With Gyamfi and Anna Gossling graduating this year, expect Tanke to take on a larger role.
2021-22 stats: 8.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game
Alyssa Hertel is a college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How Iowa State women's basketball recruits performed this season
