Caitlin Clark and Lisa Bluder’s legacy in Iowa women’s basketball is alive and thriving, and right at the heart of it is Hannah Stuelke. This sophomore phenom is quickly becoming the pride of the Hawkeyes, dazzling fans with her on-court brilliance and inspiring headlines off it. And do you know? She’s doing it while battling through an injury.

On Friday night, Stuelke proved exactly why she’s indispensable to Iowa’s success. In a nail-biter against Northern Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Jan Jensen’s Hawkeyes held their ground for a 92-86 win. But it wasn’t the cakewalk many had predicted after Iowa’s explosive first quarter, where they jumped to a 13-point lead, or even at halftime when they were up by 16. 

Things got shaky down the stretch, and that’s when Stuelke stepped up. With the Panthers refusing to back down, the junior’s late-game heroics sealed the deal, much to the delight of a roaring home crowd. Not only did Iowa snag the unofficial state championship, but they also showed their power once again.

But what makes Stuelke’s performance even more remarkable is her lingering injury. She’s not quite at 100%, and head coach Jan Jensen has been candid about it. “Hannah Stuelke mentioned she’s still doing a lot of rehab after games—hot tub, cold tub, all of it,” Jensen said, noting that her player feels about 95%. 

Stuelke’s injury woes trace back to last year’s March Madness, where she sustained a knee injury that sidelined her briefly. Though it’s not a major issue now, the constant post-game rehab suggests she’s still dealing with the aftereffects. And yet, she keeps pushing forward, embodying that Hawkeye grit we’ve all come to admire in Caitlin Clark. 

Despite the discomfort, the forward is averaging 13.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, shooting 59.2%. After earning Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year honors as a freshman, she’s only grown stronger and more confident. 

So, as the Hawkeyes gear up for more battles this season, it’s safe to say Stuelke, whether she’s at 95%, 100%, or somewhere in between, is going to hustle like no one. And  as talented as she is on the court, her off-court actions prove she has a heart of gold

A hometown hero on and off the Court, Hannah Stuelke gives back 

Iowa star Hannah Stuelke was back in her hometown recently, and she wasn’t there just to soak up some love from the locals—though she definitely deserves it. She came bearing gifts. With help from her NIL partner, U.S. Cellular, Stuelke donated $5,000 worth of electronics, toys, games, and art supplies to the Boys and Girls Club of the Corridor.

“It means everything, especially being back in my hometown, giving back to the community and the children that could be the next me,” the baller shared, her smile as big as her heart. “Just giving them something to brighten up the day is a lot of fun.” 

And it was fun, not just for the kids but also for the club’s director, John Tursi, who said, “We have over 300 kids a day coming through our five different sites, so we tear things up. It’s always nice to have all this stuff.” Moreover, the junior forward is a part of U.S. Cellular’s “Life in US Mode” NIL program, which is dedicated to amplifying the voices of female collegiate athletes while promoting healthy digital habits.

And this isn’t the first time Stuelke has stepped up to make a difference. Back in October, when the country was facing a national blood shortage, she jumped right into action. Partnering with Abbott for the We Give Blood Drive initiative, she encouraged Iowa students and staff to roll up their sleeves and donate.

You know, when we talk about inspirational athletes, this is exactly what we mean. It’s not just the buzzer-beaters, the MVP performances, or the highlight reels that make someone a hero. It’s how they treat others. Hannah Stuelke is the perfect example of this and someone to look up to—now and always.