As Iowa women’s basketball navigates the transfer portal and the start of its offseason, the Hawkeyes received positive news on the recruiting front with 2027 point guard recruit Payton Starwalt including Iowa among her top 10 schools.
The 5-foot-7 native of Albany, Ore., is a premier 3-point specialist who is rated as the No. 3 prospect and No. 2 point guard in the state, according to Prep Girls Hoops’ 2027 player rankings.
Starwalt recorded a historic junior campaign for West Albany High School, as she averaged 26.8 points, 6.4 assists and 3.1 steals per game on 57% shooting on 2-point attempts, 43% from 3-point distance, and 90% from the free-throw line. Not only did her sensational season power the Bulldogs to a Mid-Willamette League title and Class 5A state title, but she also set a new single-season Oregon state record for 3-pointers made with 136.
so grateful for it all đâ¤ď¸ pic.twitter.com/fgIFPBY7Gn
â Payton Starwalt (@starwalt_payton) April 7, 2026
Along with Iowa, Starwalt listed Arkansas, Arizona, Arizona State, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Big Ten foe UCLA among her top 10 schools. Though Iowa has not yet offered Starwalt, it’s clear that the Oregon sharpshooter thinks highly of the Hawkeyes.
As of April 8, the only commit in the Hawkeyes’ 2027 recruiting class is four-star combo guard Jada Seubert. Here’s a look at some of Starwalt’s highlights:
Season Highlights for 2027 PG Payton Starwalt
5A State Champion
MWC Champion
Oregon single season 3âpoint record w/136 3âs madeAveraged 26.8 points/6.4 assists/3.1 steals
57% (2âs)
43% (3pt)
90% (FT)
Games w/ 51, 41, & 40A top season in State history!@starwalt_payton
âŹď¸ pic.twitter.com/Cg0Mm5gbAgâ Ryan Starwaltđâž (@RyStar7_) March 22, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women’s basketball among 2027 PG’s top 10 schools
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