BREAKING IN!!! Few minutes ago, Iowa Hawkeyes Guard Lucy Olsen has declined a tempering move made by the notre dame lure her into the transfer portal. Lucy Olsen blatantly turned down a tempting $4.7 million NIL offer, a double of her current NIL, insisting to finish off her college carrer in Iowa Hawkeyes

 

In a bold and inspiring move, Iowa Hawkeyes star guard Lucy Olsen has reportedly turned down a massive $4.7 million NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) offer from Notre Dame aimed at luring her into the transfer portal. The offer

, more than double her current NIL valuation, was intended to shake up the women’s college basketball landscape — but Olsen made it clear that her loyalty to Iowa and her commitment to finishing her college career as a Hawkeye mean more than any payday.

 

Sources close to the situation revealed that Notre Dame’s aggressive pitch included not only the lucrative NIL package but also promises of a major role on a nationally competitive team. Despite the temptation, Olsen remained steadfast. In a statement shared shortly after news broke, Olsen said, “My heart is in Iowa. What we are building here is special, and no amount of money can replace the pride I feel wearing a Hawkeye jersey.”

 

Olsen, who transferred to Iowa from Villanova ahead of the 2024–25 season, has already become a central figure in Iowa’s post-Caitlin Clark era. Averaging an impressive 17.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 4 rebounds per game, her leadership and fiery competitiveness have helped keep the Hawkeyes among the nation’s elite. Her refusal to chase a bigger paycheck further cements her as a fan favorite and a leader by example.

 

The attempted poaching highlights the escalating intensity of the NIL era, where top players are now frequent targets of massive offers aimed at reshaping rosters overnight. Yet Olsen’s decision is a refreshing reminder that for some athletes, loyalty, team culture, and unfinished business still outweigh financial gain.

 

Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder praised Olsen’s decision, stating, “Lucy embodies everything we stand for — heart, toughness, and an unwavering commitment to her team. We are beyond proud to have her leading this program.”

 

As the Hawkeyes push forward through the season with March Madness aspirations in sight, Lucy Olsen’s decision sends a powerful message throughout college basketball: sometimes, legacy means more than money. In a sport increasingly influenced by big-dollar NIL deals, Olsen’s loyalty could inspire a movement among student-athletes to stay true to their teams, their goals, and their own values.