Former Iowa State star Stephanie Soares rehabs torn ACL while following Dallas Wings from afar
AMES – Stephanie Soares emerges from the Iowa State women’s basketball team’s locker room at the Sukup Basketball Complex about an hour before practice is set to begin on an August afternoon.
Soares, a first-round pick in this year’s WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics before getting traded to the Dallas Wings, is wearing a grey Iowa State shirt and cardinal Cyclones shorts.
“I feel more a part of this team,” Soares says.
More: How coveted transfer Stephanie Soares' unique basketball journey brought her Iowa State
It’s easy to see why. Soares, a big-time star for the Cyclones last season, has yet to make her WNBA debut. She hasn’t even signed with the Wings yet. Instead, the post player spends most of her time in Ames rehabbing from a torn ACL that forced her to miss most of her only season at Iowa State. The same injury also cost Soares her first season in the WNBA.
"The rehab is going well,” Soares said.
Despite not playing this WNBA season, Soares is keeping busy in Ames. She's rehabbing and working as a graduate assistant coach for the Cyclones women's basketball team. She's also keeping close tabs on her future teammates as she tries to get healthy and return to the form that made her one of the most dominant post players in the entire nation.
"So far, so good," said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly.
Stephanie Soares decides to spend her year rehabbing at Iowa State
After the Mystics took Soares with the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft and sent her to the Wings, she had a choice to make. Soares, who tore the ACL in her left knee during her 13th game of the 2022-23 season with Iowa State, could either rehab in Dallas or in Ames with the Cyclones.
“They’re (the Wings) traveling so often,” Soares said. “I’d be very alone and having to do stuff on my own. And Iowa State was like, ‘We’d love to have you here.’”
So, Soares chose to stay at Iowa State where she has plenty of company and help. Soares, who suffered the same injury to the same knee while playing at The Master's University in California, is working with Erin Brocka, the Iowa State women’s basketball team’s new director of strength and conditioning, during her most recent road to recovery.
More: Stephanie Soares joins Iowa State women's basketball team staff as graduate assistant
The two work together nearly every day of the week. The focus recently has been on weight and strength workouts along with some basketball activities now that Soares Soares can run, jump and shoot. The plan is to gradually build up to twisting and moving more and eventually some contact drills.
“Since I have so much time, we’re just kind of gradually building up,” Soares said.
Soares is making the most of all the time she has. The Cyclones hired her back in May to work as a graduate assistant coach. She helped out a ton during the 10 extra practices the team got as it prepared for its trip overseas. Soares worked with Iowa State's post players to help them get ready to fill her void.
"She's one of those people that you look at what she's been through and how hard she's worked and when she talks to you....you better listen," Fennelly said. "She's just that kind of kid because what she says isn't just about basketball. It comes from the heart."
More: Iowa State freshman Audi Crooks ready to prove doubters wrong on the basketball court
She averaged 14.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game before going down with her season-ending injury. Even though she hasn't been cleared for contact, Soares still tried to get on the floor to help when she can. Sometimes she tries to do too much. Fennelly has to reign her back in.
"He's always very careful," Soares said. "He sees me rebounding or something and he's like, 'Get out, what are we doing?'"
Soares insight and experience are needed perhaps more than ever with Iowa State overgoing a massive roster makeover. The Cyclones even brought in some new post players including freshman Audi Crooks, a heavily sought-after recruit who is expected to garner important playing time during her first season. Soares helped her make the transition from playing for a small-town Iowa high school to a Big 12 Conference team.
"I couldn't ask for a better mentor," Crooks said. "I mean, she's going to the league. She was phenomenal in her short time at Iowa State. She made such a big impact. So, being able to learn from somebody like that, being able to ask questions, heck being able to just have a conversation with Steph and get to know her as a person and as a coach, has been great."
Stephanie Soares follows the Dallas Wings from back in Ames
Soares isn't technically a member of the Wings since she hasn't signed a contract with them while she rehabs. But they still have big plans for her and have even brought her to Dallas a few times so she can be around the team.
Soares also keeps close tabs on them by watching as many games as possible from Ames. The team even sent her some gear and some basketballs that she uses to shoot with. But being this far away, it's not the same.
More: Iowa State women's basketball needed help in the post. Stephanie Soares was the answer.
"Because I'm not there, it's just a lot different," Soares said. "I can't really start building the relationships yet. So, I think just being part of the Iowa State family has been big, big for me and my mental state."
Things are going well for Soares, though. She'll complete her master's program in youth development in the fall. If all goes according to plan, Soares hopes to leave Ames to either play overseas until the WNBA season starts or head to Dallas to train for camp.
"It's just kind of going to depend on my agency and the team," Soares said.
Soares still has a promising future in the WNBA due to her tremendous size and strength and her ability to shoot the 3-pointer. All she has to do is get healthy and get back on the floor. Fennelly believes Soares is well on her way.
"She looks great," Fennelly said. "She's in great spirits."
Fennelly is adamant that Iowa State's roster would have looked much differently had Soares been granted an extra season of eligibility by the NCAA. Even though Iowa State doesn't have her back as a player, the Cyclones have enjoyed having her back in this unique role.
More: NCAA denies eligibility waiver request for Iowa State women's basketball star Stephanie Soares
"She makes you smile," Fennelly said. "She's a phenomenal kid. Our players love to be around her."
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Ex-Iowa State star Stephanie Soares rehabbing, working as Cyclones GA
