By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Kylie Feuerbach probably raised a few eyebrows with her decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal after having been a starter for the Iowa State women’s basketball team as a freshman this past season.

Her choice for where she plans to transfer might also raise a few eyebrows as Feuerbach announced Friday on Twitter that she has committed Iowa.

“It is with a humble heart and deep gratitude that I’m excited to announce my commitment to the University of Iowa and the WWB program,” Feuerbach said.

Feuerbach, a 6-foot guard from Sycamore, Ill., averaged six points and three rebounds in 28 games for Iowa State this past season. She scored in double figures six times as a freshman, helped Iowa State make the NCAA Tournament, and was thought to be a key piece to Iowa State’s future.

But now Feuerbach will join an Iowa program that has won at least 20 games in eight of the last nine seasons, and that played in the NCAA Elite in 2019 under veteran head coach Lisa Bluder.

Feuerbach’s decision to be a Hawkeye is a nice gift for Bluder, whose birthday is on Friday.

Iowa also has one of college basketball’s rising stars in point guard Caitlin Clark, who earned All-America accolades as a freshman this past season.

Clark expressed her excitement about Feuerbach’s decision to be a Hawkeye on Twitter.

LETSSSS GOOOOO!!! Hawk Nation, welcome the newest hawk! So excited to play with you again Ky💛🖤 …let’s work😈 https://t.co/XZTsHR3RbS

— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) April 16, 2021

Feuerbach will be allowed to play immediately next season, and will have four seasons of eligibility since student-athletes were given a free year of participation this season due to the global pandemic.

Next season’s Iowa-Iowa State game will be played at Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

It isn’t often that a student-athlete transfers from Iowa State to Iowa, or vice versa.

Cedar Rapids native Stacy Frese played her freshman season at Iowa before transferring to Iowa State, where she became a star under current head coach Bill Fennelly from 1998-2000.

Carroll native Adam Haluska then did just the opposite, transferring to Iowa in 2003 after having played his freshman season at Iowa State.