Jada Gyamfi drops 3-word reaction to passionate snap with Iowa teammate AJ Ediger from Lisa Bluder’s special day

The clash between No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes and No. 8 Maryland Terrapins turned out to be a momentous evening set aside to honor Lisa Bluder. However, AJ Ediger and Jada Gyamfi caught fans' attention with their off-court bond. Maryland, led by head coach Brenda Frese, walked into Carver-Hawkeye Arena and exposed the gap between Iowa and the upper echelon of women’s college basketball.

However, everything came into a celebratory mode as it was Bluder's 24 years of leadership in Iowa women’s basketball. A post was shared on Instagram that captured the game's heartwarming moment, with the caption:

"Bluder Day"

Ediger shared a picture of her and Gymafi hugging on the court on her Instagram story. It was reshared by Gymafi with the caption:

"Passion. Energy. Swag."

Jada Gyamfi with AJ Ediger from Lisa Bluder’s special day

Facing off at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the No. 23 Hawkeyes went head-to-head with No. 8 Maryland in a pivotal Big Ten Conference matchup. Iowa erased a significant 25-point deficit to make it a competitive game, only to fall 74-66. The Terrapins entered the game with a 14-0 record, while Iowa came in with a 12-3 record.

Lucy Olsen, Iowa’s senior guard, scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers. Fellow senior guard Sydney Affolter also delivered an impressive 12 points, contributing to Iowa's comeback attempt.

Despite their efforts, Maryland managed to hold the Hawkeyes at bay with crucial plays in the closing minutes. The loss dropped Iowa to a 2-3 record in conference play.

AJ Ediger and Jada Gyamfi's rising role in the court

AJ Ediger, a graduate of Hamilton High School, dominated as a high school athlete, becoming her school’s all-time leading scorer. Her impact extended during the previous year, in April, when she served as the president of Iowa’s student chapter of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Reflecting on her experience in a post-game conference, she said:

"I am amazed by and so delighted by, she is part of a team that is changing women's basketball."

Although her minutes on the floor are limited compared to her high school days, Ediger helped the Hawkeyes achieve consecutive Final Four appearances.

On the other hand, this is not the first time Gyamfi's fans saw her bond with her friends. Earlier, when former Iowa player Kate Martin was selected by the WNBA's Valkyries in December’s expansion draft, Gyamfi expressed her excitement. Sharing a post from the Las Vegas Aces' Instagram account, Gyamfi celebrated Martin’s achievement.

Despite the loss to Maryland, Iowa showcased the resilience and fight that have become hallmarks of their program. Now they are preparing for their next game against Illinois.