By JOHN BOHNENKAMP

Iowa got the experienced help it needed in the frontcourt with the signing of transfer Emely Rodriguez on Monday.

Rodriguez, who played at Central Florida last season, will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. She is the fifth newcomer to the Hawkeyes’ roster, joining Georgia Tech transfer Chazadi “Chit-Chat” Wright and prep signees Addie Deal, Layla Hayes, and Journey Houston. 

Rodriguez was a member of the Big 12’s all-freshman team last season after averaging 11.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. She had a season-high 21 points in a game against Iowa State on February 25. She was a 75% free-throw shooter.

“We are thrilled to add Emely to our team because she is a skilled, versatile and strong guard that can score on every level and has a great defensive presence,” Iowa coach Jan Jensen said. “Her versatility will also give us increased depth and our fans will enjoy watching her skill set. We are so excited for her to be a Hawkeye.”

AFFOLTER STAYS ON: Sydney Affolter’s time with the Hawkeyes isn’t over, it will just be in a different capacity.

Affolter has been named a graduate student employee for the 2025-26 season, Jensen announced.

“We are thrilled to have Sydney join our staff in this capacity,” said Jensen. “Sydney has been a tremendous leader for our program, and I am excited to continue to utilize her skillset as she begins her coaching career. I know our Hawkeye fans will also love continuing to see Syd involved with our program.”

Affolter, who finished her eligibility with the Hawkeyes last season, was an honorable-mention selection from the media and was selected as Iowa’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient.  She averaged a career-high 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds.

Affolter scored in double figures in 15 games last season, including scoring a career-high 24 points and knocking down four 3-pointers in the Hawkeyes’ win over Michigan in February. She had six double-doubles, and had a career-best 15 rebounds twice to become the 11th Hawkeye since 2009 to record 15 or more rebounds in a game.

Affolter, who appeared in 128 career games at Iowa with 44 starts, attended the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association “So You Want To Be a Coach” seminar at the 2025 Final Four in Tampa Bay.

Photo: Former Central Florida player Emely Rodriguez (12) signed with Iowa on Monday. (Ricky Bowden/Icon Sportswire)