“Our center won 6 out of 7 [awards]”: Jan Jensen credits ex-Iowa star vs the likes of A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu before Caitlin Clark’s Iowa debut

Caitlin Clark captured the attention of sports fans, garnering multiple awards as she headlined every game she took part in when she played for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Before her, there was a particular player that coach Jan Jensen gave credit for winning multiple awards.

Jensen was a guest on Tuesday's episode of the "Mailander Podcast with Chris Mailander." In it, she discussed the trajectory of her coaching career and about a star player who, before Clark arrived at Iowa in 2020, dominated award conversations with her talent as a center.

"We had a really great player that graduated in 2019 that was the National Player of the Year before Caitlin was. It was a center. Her name was Megan Gustafson," Jensen said. "And there's seven [of] the most coveted National Player of the Year awards. You have ESPN, AP, John Wooden award. There's like seven of them. Well, our center won six out of the seven, okay. The only one she didn't win went to Sabrina Ionescu."

"So that's how good the center was. Because centers, it's hard for them to get Player of the Year, because they have to depend on others to get them the ball," the Iowa Hawkeyes coach added. "And then when they get the ball, they have to do something astronomical, they have to hardly miss, and they also have to rebound but they're so dependent. A guard can have the ball in her hand and create and dish and do all the things."

"A'ja Wilson is one of the greatest of all time. She's a post player. She plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA, but I digress. But Megan, she probably in this name, image and likeness, she would have really cleaned out in a state like Iowa," Jensen concluded.

Jan Jensen's coaching career so far

Iowa Hawkeyes coach Jan Jensen gestures during a game. (Credits: IMAGN)

Jan Jensen's 24-year association with the Iowa Hawkeyes is a story of resilience and commitment.

As an associate head coach from 2000 to 2024, she had two Final Four appearances, which featured runner-up finishes in the championship game, five Big Ten Tournament titles, and two Big Ten regular season championships.

Jensen is in her first year as the Hawkeyes's head coach after Lisa Bluder announced her retirement after the 2023-24 season. Iowa has had a solid start to the new transition after Bluder's coaching tenure and Caitlin Clark's collegiate career, winning their first seven games to begin the campaign.

Jan Jensen will look to have the No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes improve to 8-0 when they play against the BYU Cougars at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Cancun, Mexico, on Friday at 9 p.m. ET.