2025 Alaska recruit Layla Hays is committed to Iowa women’s basketball

IOWA CITY – For the second year in a row, the Iowa women’s basketball program will have a center from the West.

This time it is far to the west.

The Gazette has learned that Layla Hays, a 6-foot-2 center from Wasilla, Alaska, has committed to the program.

Hays is visiting town this weekend and will be attending the Washington-Iowa football game this afternoon.

In her last Twitter post in July, Hays named Iowa as one of eight finalists for her services, along with Duke, Indiana, North Carolina, Illinois, Nebraska, Gonzaga and Washington.

Hays is listed as the No. 68 recruit in the class of 2025. She is the second member of Iowa’s class, joining Addie Deal and Journey Houston.

Freshman Ava Heiden, from Oregon, is expected to be the starting center when the Hawkeyes host Missouri Western in their exhibition game on Oct. 30.

Comments: [email protected]