PHOTO PROVIDED BY UNIVERSITY OF IOWA ATHLETICS - McKenna Woliczko poses for a photograph during a recruiting visit to the University of Iowa.

The University of Iowa women’s basketball program took another step forward as McKenna Woliczko, the No. 6 overall recruit in the class of 2026, announced her commitment to the Hawkeyes via Instagram on Wednesday.

Woliczko, a 6-foot-2 forward from national power Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Calif., chose Iowa over South Carolina, USC and Ohio State.

“I can’t believe the buzz not only around here but nationally around this decision,” Woliczko said. “What pushed Iowa over the top for me were all the great people and the college experience from the fans to the student body to the alumni.”

Woliczko is the second-ranked power forward in the country by 247 Sports after a sophomore season in which she averaged 22.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Her junior season ended due to an ACL tear after only 10 games, but there does not seem to be major concern with her return to the court.

Though USC and Ohio State were in the mix, “it was really between South Carolina and Iowa,” Woliczko said. “Those two schools I honestly think are perfect, and I don’t think there’s any cons to either of them. And that’s what made the decision so hard. … A big part of that was Iowa City. I Just felt like it was such a fun college town. And seeing all the fans and how Iowa supports all the sports was so impressive.”