After losing Caitlin Clark to the WNBA, the Iowa Hawkeyes have been missing a star player, and incoming freshman Addie Deal, a five-star recruit, may be their answer. Deal is now in Iowa and is training to join her new team and adjusting to her new surroundings. She spoke with Iowa’s News Now and revealed that she believes she is more similar to a certain New York Liberty star than she is to her Iowa predecessor.
In the interview, Addie Deal was asked which WNBA star does she think she is similar to, and she answered that she thinks she is more similar to Sabrina Ionescu in that regard.
“I played for Sabrina Inescu’s team. She was always a role model of mine looking g up to her. So, I would say Sabrina,” Addie Deal anwered (6:00).
Like many basketball stars, Addie Deal played in the AAU circuit, and in particular, she played for Cal Stars, which was the same team that Ionescu played for during her AAU days.
Prior to her move to Iowa, Addie Deal played for Southern California sports powerhouse Mater Dei. She was ranked No. 9 overall and the No. 2 combo guard from the Class of 2025, as well as the No. 1 player in California. Deal chose Iowa over Arizona, Baylor, LSU, and Ohio State.
Addie Deal Talks About Adjusting To Life in Iowa
After moving away from her life back in Southern California, Addie Deal is now adjusting to her new life in the Midwest as she begins practicing and getting to know her new teammates. She spoke with On3/Rivals’ Hawkeye Report regarding that adjustment.
“It’s definitely a lot of learning. I’m just trying to absorb everything,” Deal said. “Come to practice early, get my shots in, come after practice, get more shots in. The style and the certain shots that I’m getting in this offense are a little different than what I’ve done before, so just getting used to that.”
“I think I’m getting a lot better now (after a couple weeks). I’m starting to understand and read the stuff better. Not too panicked or anything, but just really understanding and reading everything,” she added.
Deal, who played in the McDonald’s All-American Game last December, has been hailed not just for her ability to score from long range, but also for her passing, making her one of the best combo guards in her class, being able to be a scorer and also be a playmaker at point.
Related: ‘An Anomaly’ – Dawn Staley Calls Caitlin Clark the Toughest Player She’s Coached Against
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