Since she got to Iowa, senior forward Monika Czinano has played behind some stars.
As a freshman, she backed up national player of the year Megan Gustafson. The next year program great Kathleen Doyle topped the statistics column for the Hawkeyes, with Czinano right behind her. In 2020-2021, freshman Caitlin Clark was the team’s top scorer, where she has remained for the last three years, with Czinano right behind her as she opted to play a fifth season.
Receiving second billing to teammates has never bothered the Minnesota native. In fact, as Iowa prepares to face South Carolina in the national semifinals tomorrow, Czinano would rather not talk about herself.
“I love the team (and I) hate making it an individual thing,” she said. “I love it when it’s Iowa vs. South Carolina, when it’s all of our team; I just like talking about that more. I understand, to a certain extent, how good I am and how my development has happened. But I just love my team, and I want them to get the credit they deserve.”
But no matter how many times Czinano is asked to talk about Clark, who has won three national player of the year awards this week, the truth is that without her, the Hawkeyes would not be back in the Final Four for the first time in 30 years.
Czinano’s greatness lies in her consistency. Over the last four seasons she has shot 67-68 percent from the field, as one of the top three scorers in Division I. She has averaged at least 28 minutes in a starting role, has scored around 20 points per game, and has grabbed 5-6 rebounds. She has been the bedrock that has allowed the rest of her teammates to shine.
Coach Lisa Bluder said Czinano is the most unassuming star a team could have.
“She’s lead the United States in field goal percentage for years, but Monika doesn’t even realize how good she is,” Bluder said. “That’s what’s so funny about her and Caitlin, is they’re so different. Caitlin understands she’s good, and she’s confident. Honestly, Monika just goes out and plays.”
Redshirt sophomore Kate Martin agrees.
“She definitely doesn’t know how good she is, and I think that’s what you love about her,” Martin said. “She’s a little naive when it comes to that. It’s hilarious.”
She characterized Czinano as not only a great player, but a great teammate, and someone who doesn’t entertain negative talk.
“She will always be the first to build you up and give you a high five…
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