Class of 2025 F Brynn McGaughy discusses her recent offer from Iowa
Lisa Bluder and her staff do not generally reach very far west with their recruiting efforts, in fact, Kristi Smith (Colorado), Addison O’Grady (Colorado) and class of 2024 commit Ava Heiden (Oregon) are the only Hawkeye players to come from west of Nebraska over the last 20 years. Still, the coaching staff has a few offers out to players from the western half of the country, including a recent offer for class of 2025 6’3 forward Brynn McGaughy out of Colfax, Washington.
“The Iowa WBB program is great. They have been super successful and they are only going to grow from here,” said McGaughy. “Getting an offer from them was big for me because I think very highly of the program. I was very happy when I received the offer not only because of their successful program, but because of the coaches.”
McGaughy is rated as the #4 forward and #15 overall player for the class by ESPN. Prep Girls Hoops rates her as the #1 player in Washington for the class of 2025. Her offer list has grown to an impressive 33 teams, including Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Stanford, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State, Arizona State, Oregon State, California, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Louisville, Baylor, Alabama and several other power five schools, along with some mid-major teams.
As a sophomore at Colfax High School last season, McGaughy averaged 21.5 points and 10.3 rebounds for a Bulldogs team that finished 28-0 and won the Washington 2B State Championship. Brynn was named State Tournament MVP, as well as Bi-County League Player of the Year.
We caught of with the incoming high school junior to discuss her Iowa offer, her summer with Adidas Meta Hoops 17u and more.
Q: What is your relationship like with Coach Lisa Bluder and the rest of the coaching staff? How have your early talks with them gone?
McGaughy: My relationship with the coaching staff is very unique. I felt a connection right off the bat with them. My early talks were with Coach Jan Jensen and I absolutely loved them. She is energetic and really easy to talk to. I could really tell she wanted to get to know me as not only a basketball player, but also as a person.
Q: Are you planning a to visit Iowa at some point?
McGaughy: I plan to visit Iowa this upcoming fall.
Q: How has your summer season gone with Meta Hoops? What tournaments are you playing in the rest of the way?
McGaughy: My AAU season went very well for me. I felt very consistent and happy with how I performed overall. Unfortunately, I will not be able to play in the rest of my tournaments because of a recent injury.
Q: What stands out about Iowa in your early talks compared to other schools?
McGaughy: Iowa stands out to me compared to a bunch of schools for many reasons. They care about me as a person, while still showing that I can make an impact on their basketball team. The coaches are nice, genuine people that I love talking to. I have a much stronger relationship with them than I do with other coaches because of these reasons.
Q: You are a highly-rated recruit, similar to what Caitlin Clark was in high school. Does what she has accomplished and Iowa making the national title game make the program stick out more than before?
McGaughy: It absolutely makes their program stick out. Caitlin Clark has done so much for the program and she has accomplished so much. I aspire to do what she has done when I go to college. The player that Caitlin is, shows me that the Iowa coaching staff recruits the right people. Great basektball players, with great body language and humbleness. That stands out to me.
Q: How would you describe yourself as a basketball player to Iowa fans?
McGaughy: To the Iowa fans, as a basketball player, I like to think I am humble and play the right way. I love competing and will do whatever it takes to win. I work very hard and love to be in the gym.
Q: What would you say are the strengths of your game? What are some things you are still working on?
McGaughy: The strengths of m game; running the floor, driving to the basket, posting up, blocking shots and mid-range jumpers. I am still working on getting my three-point shot to be more automatic, perimeter defense and handling the ball better.
Q: Have you been hearing from any other schools that have not yet offered you a scholarship? Any visits planned for the fall?
McGaughy: I’ve been hearing from UConn and South Carolina who have not yet offered me. I have a few visits on the calendar, but more to plan.
