Campus Newcomer: McFarland SF Teagan Mallegni

Lisa Bluder has had a lot of success with players from Wisconsin during her time as head coach of the Hawkeyes. Samantha Logic, Megan Gustafson and McKenna Warnock all grew up and played their high school ball in the Badger State. Teagan Mallegni is looking to become the next great Hawkeye to come from Wisconsin and she has drawn comparisons to McKenna Warnock, a player that she grew up watching in the Madison area.

“Monona Grove was always circled on my calendar for McKenna…I remember one time, my mom didn’t think she scored very much, but it ended up being like 30 or something. So just the quietness of her game is what I really enjoyed.”

Mallegni is a four-star prospect by ESPN and is rated as the #65 overall player for the class of 2024. She chose Iowa over Ohio State, Duke, North Carolina, Oregon, Kansas and Wisconsin. As a senior at McFarland High School this past season, Mallegni averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.1 steals per game for the Spartans. Teagan shot 51% from the floor, made 63 three-pointers and had a season-high 51 points against Monona Grove. She finished her high school career with 2,470 points scored.

We caught up with the 6-foot-1 small forward out of McFarland, Wisconsin to discuss her move to Iowa City, what stood out during the recruitment process and her upcoming freshman season with the Hawkeyes.

Q: When do you move to Iowa City and what is your excitement level like for that move in day?

MALLEGNI: I think our move in day is June 9th and I am so excited to finally be on campus and be with my new teammates and coaches. I can’t wait to get to know everyone better and start playing with them.

Q: What number do you plan on wearing? Any special reason behind it?

MALLEGNI: I am planning on wearing numberr 55. I wear it because my mom wore 55 when she played, so I have always worn it.

Q: What has it been like watching Iowa advance to back-to-back national championship games knowing that you’re going to join that program this summer?

MALLEGNI: I think it is so cool to watch all of the amazing things that they have been able to accomplish and I can’t wait to be a part of such a successful program. I am looking forward to learning as much as I can from all of them and hopefully having the same opportunities in the future.

Q: Your mom has been your coach for quite a while, what has her advice been for you as you get ready to become a college basketball player?

MALLEGNI: She has just told me to be confident in myself and my abilities and to have as much fun as possible, which I know will be really important once I get there. I have loved being coached by my mom and I think that it will be fun to experience a new style of coaching with Coach Bluder.

Q: There have been some comparisons made about your game to former Hawkeye McKenna Warnock who is also from the Madison area. Do you like hearing people compare you to her? What do you remember about her game when you watched her in high school?

MALLEGNI: I think that it is really cool to be compared to her. I remember her being dominant in high school and I really enjoyed watching her play.

Q: What have you been doing since the end of the high school basketball season to prepare for when you join the team this summer?

MALLEGNI: I have been lifting more consistently now that I am out of the season and I have been working with new trainers. I have also connected more with Taylor Stremlow and we have started working out together more often, which is really exciting and it’s getting me ready for next year.

What do you remember about your recruitment? When did Iowa first reach out to you?

MALLEGNI: I can’t remmeber when the coaches first contacted me, but I do remember really liking everything about them and feeling really connected from the beginning. On my first visit, it was fun to see everything and everyone on campus and I felt really good about Iowa at that point.

Q: What stood out about the Iowa program that made them an easy choice over other schools?

MALLEGNI: I think that it was their ability to connect with me and just the feeling around the program and the people in it. They were all so welcoming and I really appreciated that. I think that is where their stability comes from too, which is another reason I felt so good about my decision. I really love the culture that they have created on and off the court.

Q: What is your relationship like with the other incoming freshman? What about current players?

MALLEGNI: I have been able to talk to the freshman and current players a little bit and it has helped me feel a little bit more comfortable with everything, but I am just really excited to see everyone in person soon.

Q: What are your goals for your freshman season?

MALLEGNI: I just want to be there for my team and do whatever they want me to do and be whatever they want me to be. I want to help in any way that I can.

Q: What are you most excited for when you think about playing for Iowa next season?

MALLEGNI: I am just really excited to have the opportunity to play for amazing coaches and play with amazing players. I think that it is going to be a great experience for me and I can’t wait to get started.