Alaskan Center's NCAA Journey

0:00A freshman from Wacilla Alaska, named Leila Hayes, has joined the University of Iowa Women's Basketball Team as a center. Her family made the trip of over 2,500 miles to watch her play in the NCAA A-Ternamon, raised in a sports-loving home as the youngest of four kids. She showed real talent starting in middle school and committed to Iowa after a campus. Visit. The choice came down to the program's strong culture and top coaching for post-players. Even though Caitlyn Clark set records there that did not sway the decision, it was all about the fit. Now, in the tough Big Ten Conference, Hayes has handled the jump from high school like a pro. Her family says the pressure of college ball hits hard for underclassmen, but she has embraced her role and grown fast. Home sickness from being so far from Alaska is real, yet the Hawkeye's team environment has helped her settle in. This season, she scored 123 points over 305 minutes. In the tournament's second round on Monday, she got on the court for one minute against

1:02Virginia, though Iowa lost 83 to 75 in. Double overtime. With three more years ahead, Hayes looks set to inspire young athletes back home, proving Alaskans can shine on the national stage. That wraps Anchorage News today, brought to you with AI. I'm Corey with the story.