The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team has officially closed the door on Emely Rodriguez's return. After entering the NCAA transfer portal for the second straight season in April, head coach Jan Jensen confirmed the program will not pursue bringing back the junior guard/forward.

Rodriguez showed glimpses of her potential in limited action this season, averaging 7.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 42.5% from the field. However, her campaign was derailed by a back injury and a reported suspension, limiting her to just six games. She connected on 80% of her free throws but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 14.3% of her 3-point attempts.

The 6-foot native of the Dominican Republic was the last remaining Hawkeye in the transfer portal after teammates Callie Levin, Kennise Johnson, Teagan Mallegni, and Addie Deal all found new homes. While there was speculation about a possible reunion in Iowa City, Jensen quickly shut that down during an interview at a Carroll Area I-Club banquet on May 11.

With Rodriguez's departure now official, the Hawkeyes have nine of their 15 scholarship spots filled for the 2026-27 season. The team has already bolstered its roster through the transfer portal, adding guards Dani Carnegie, Jocelyn Faison, and Amari Whiting. As Iowa looks to reload for next season, fans can expect more roster moves as the program builds toward its next campaign.