Marquette guard Kenzie Hare transfers to Iowa State women's basketball team
When Kenzie Hare and her women’s basketball teammates at Marquette would sit down and watch other games, she marveled at the success of Iowa State and its young talent. Hare was so impressed that when she hit the transfer portal, she decided she wanted to be part of it.
Hare is getting her wish.
The former Marquette standout announced Monday that she’s transferring to Iowa State. Hare is the second known transfer for the Cyclones in as many days, joining former Texas Christian women’s basketball player Sydney Harris, who announced her commitment to the Cyclones on Sunday.
“Obviously they had a great season but it’s not until I got in the portal, and they hit me up that I was really like, ‘Oh wow, this could be a possibility — this is great,’” Hare said.
Hare is a 5-foot-9 versatile guard who can shoot and drive to the lane. She also has plenty of experience, having appeared in 63 games over the last two seasons at Marquette. Hare had her best season during the 2023-24 campaign when she started 31 games and averaged 14 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore. She also shot 42% from 3-point range that season and was an All-Big East honorable-mention pick.
Hare said she “wanted something different” and decided to enter the transfer portal. Iowa State, one of the biggest surprise stories in the country last season with a roster full of freshmen contributing in big ways, was among the schools to reach out to her. The Cyclones offered Hare a chance to win right away.
Getting to play with some of those freshmen, including stars Audi Crooks and Addy Brown along with veteran Emily Ryan, was appealing to Hare. Ryan is taking advantage of the extra season of eligibility awarded by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic and coming back for another year.
“I definitely want to play with them,” Hare said. “I think they’re great players and they’re just going to continue to get better. I’m definitely excited to get on the court with them.”
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Marquette's Kenzie Hare transfers to Iowa State women's basketball team
