Iowa women's basketball guard named to Nancy Lieberman Award watch list
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Iowa women's basketball guard named to Nancy Lieberman Award watch list
Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire
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2 min read
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Ahead of the 2026-27 Iowa women's basketball season, third-year point guard Chit-Chat Wright was named to theNancy Lieberman Award preseason watch list, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced Monday.
Wright is one of 20 players nationally selected to the preseason watch list for the award, which recognizes the top point guard in NCAA Division I women's basketball.
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The third-year guard enters the 2026-27 season after a breakout first year with theHawkeyesin which Wright started all 31 games and averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds per contest on 42.9% shooting and 44% from beyond the arc. The Atlanta, Ga., native totaled 387 points and 138 assists, with her assist total ranking seventh on Iowa's single-season list for second-year players.
Last season, Wright earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from the conference's coaches and honorable mention recognition from the media.
Now in its 28th year, the Nancy Lieberman Award recognizes point guards who demonstrate exceptional floor leadership, playmaking, and ball-handling skills. Caitlin Clark was the last Hawkeye to win the award, earning the honor three consecutive seasons from 2022-24.
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Along with Wright, the 19 other players on the Watch List include KK Arnold (UConn), Jasmine Bascoe (Villanova), Kennedy Blair (Michigan State), Zoe Brooks (NC State), Jaloni Cambridge (Ohio State), Aaliyah Chavez (Oklahoma), Jazzy Davidson (USC), Katie Fiso (Oregon), Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), Mila Holloway (Michigan), Kymora Johnson (Virginia), Zamareya Jones (Louisville), Liv McGill (Oklahoma State), S'Mya Nichols (Kansas), Bryanna Preston (Texas), Britt Prince (Nebraska), Gal Raviv (Miami), Jada Williams (LSU), and Jadyn Wooten (TCU).
Fan voting begins Friday, Oct. 30. The list will be narrowed to 10 candidates in February before five finalists are announced in March. The Hall of Fame's award selection committee.
No. 10 Iowa hosts Maryville in an exhibition on Thursday, Oct. 29, before opening the regular season Monday, Nov. 2 against Towson. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and will stream onB1G+.
Ava Heiden stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Taylor Stremlow stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Amari Whiting stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Chazadi 'Chit-Chat' Wright stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Ava Heiden stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Taylor Stremlow stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Layla Hays and Journey Houston stand for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
McKenna Woliczko stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Layla Hays and Journey Houston stand for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Amari Whiting stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Jocelyn Faison stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Chazadi 'Chit-Chat' Wright stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Bria Medina stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Jocelyn Faison, Chazadi 'Chit-Chat' Wright and Dani Carnegie stand for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Layla Hays and Ava Heiden stand for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Dani Carnegie stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Journey Houston stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Amari Whiting stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Iowa head coach Jan Jensen speaks to reporters Oct. 13, 2026 during the Iowa women’s basketball media day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Cit, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Ava Heiden stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Ava Heiden stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Taylor Stremlow stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Amari Whiting stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Chazadi 'Chit-Chat' Wright stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Ava Heiden stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Taylor Stremlow stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Layla Hays and Journey Houston stand for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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McKenna Woliczko stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Iowa women's basketball 2026-27 media day photos
Layla Hays and Journey Houston stand for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Iowa women's basketball 2026-27 media day photos
Amari Whiting stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Jocelyn Faison stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Chazadi 'Chit-Chat' Wright stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Iowa women's basketball 2026-27 media day photos
Bria Medina stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Iowa women's basketball 2026-27 media day photos
Jocelyn Faison, Chazadi 'Chit-Chat' Wright and Dani Carnegie stand for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Layla Hays and Ava Heiden stand for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Dani Carnegie stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Journey Houston stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Iowa women's basketball 2026-27 media day photos
Amari Whiting stands for a photo during Iowa Women’s Basketball media day at Carver Hawkeye Arena, Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in Iowa City.
(Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Iowa women's basketball 2026-27 media day photos
Iowa head coach Jan Jensen speaks to reporters Oct. 13, 2026 during the Iowa women’s basketball media day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Cit, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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