Chit-Chat Wright Emerges as X-Factor for Hawkeyes' Tournament Run

Sophomore point guard has been key to Iowa's success this season

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:19pm

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If the Iowa Hawkeyes are going to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, sophomore point guard Chit-Chat Wright could be the X-factor. Wright, a transfer from Georgia Tech, has emerged as a key player for the Hawkeyes, averaging 12.3 points and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 45.2% from three-point range. The coaching staff and Wright's teammates have encouraged her to be more aggressive as a scorer, and her ability to knock down 3-5 threes per game could be crucial for Iowa's tournament success.

Why it matters

The Hawkeyes have a 26-6 record and are hoping to make a run to the Elite Eight or Final Four, but their success may hinge on the play of Wright. With the departure of Lucy Olsen to the WNBA, Wright has stepped in and become the team's starting point guard, providing a scoring punch and playmaking ability that has been crucial to Iowa's strong season.

The details

Wright, a four-star recruit in the class of 2024, carved out a respectable role as a freshman at Georgia Tech, averaging 7.2 points and 2.6 assists per game. When Georgia Tech assistant LaSondra Barrett joined Iowa's staff, it helped facilitate Wright's transfer to Iowa City. Wright has taken a big leap this season, setting new career highs with 21 points against Iowa State and four 20-point games overall. Her three-point shooting has been a major asset, as she has hit a team-high 61 threes and ranks third in the country in three-point percentage at 45.2%.

  • Wright committed to Iowa on her official visit on April 23, 2025, just five days after Iowa hired assistant coach LaSondra Barrett.
  • Wright put up 19 points and hit three threes in a 74-41 win over Northern Iowa in the Hawkeyes' fourth game of the season.
  • Wright set a new career high with 21 points against Iowa State less than a month later.

The players

Chit-Chat Wright

A sophomore point guard who transferred to Iowa from Georgia Tech, where she averaged 7.2 points and 2.6 assists per game as a freshman. Wright has emerged as a key player for the Hawkeyes, averaging 12.3 points and 4.6 assists while shooting 45.2% from three-point range.

LaSondra Barrett

An assistant coach who joined Iowa's staff after previously working at Georgia Tech, where she coached Chit-Chat Wright as a freshman.

Abby Stamp

An assistant coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes who has praised Wright's playmaking ability and encouraged her to be more aggressive as a scorer.

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What they’re saying

“With LaSondra, we knew we had somebody that was going to be a great addition to our staff, as far as her X's and O's, but also the value she brings to our program, as far as how we want to operate. So then, knowing that Chit-Chat knows about her and that (LaSondra) was really bought into our program was a huge thing.”

— Abby Stamp, Assistant Coach

“It's been (what I envisioned) and more. When I came here, I knew we were going to be pretty good, but in the summer, we just built on that. I was like, wait, we could be really good, this is a special team. Day in, day out, we've been practicing, going hard and just preparing for this moment.”

— Chit-Chat Wright

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will face Georgia in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, and Wright's ability to score and knock down threes could be crucial to Iowa's chances of advancing.

The takeaway

Chit-Chat Wright's emergence as a scoring threat and efficient three-point shooter has been a key factor in Iowa's success this season. If the Hawkeyes are going to make a deep tournament run, Wright's performance will be crucial, as her ability to create offense and knock down shots from deep could be the X-factor that propels Iowa to the Elite Eight or beyond.