How Taylor Stremlow’s Family Shaped Her Iowa Basketball Career

PHOTO: Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com Iowa women's basketball player Taylor Stremlow (center) poses with her family during a photo shoot. Stremlow credits her parents, both former student-athletes, for setting her up for success at Iowa.

It’s no surprise that Taylor Stremlow found a love and passion for basketball.

It started with her parents.

PHOTO: Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com Taylor Stremlow looks to help Iowa women's basketball to great successes this season. Last year, with Stremlow in the starting lineup, the Hawkeyes were 16-2.

“My mom and dad played collegiately, so I joke that I was born with a basketball,” says Stremlow, a junior on the Iowa women’s basketball team. “Basketball has always been part of my life. I’ve played for as long as I can remember.”

Her mom, Sarah, was a post player for Butler and helped lead the Bulldogs to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1996—losing to Iowa in the first round. Her dad, Peter, was a guard on the 1995 NCAA Division III national championship team at Wisconsin–Platteville.

Coached by both parents in Verona, Wisconsin, Stremlow learned lessons that still shape her game today.

“I certainly got more of my toughness and passion from my dad,” says Stremlow, who, like her dad, is a guard. “My mom really taught me selflessness on the court. That’s something that’s really stuck with me. Being a coach’s kid, you don’t want to hog the ball, and that’s why I’ve always looked for ways to share the ball.”

The traits and skills her parents emphasized are now helping her carve out a larger role at Iowa.

After seeing limited action as a freshman, Stremlow played in all 34 of Iowa’s games during her sophomore season—averaging 7.9 points and 4.3 assists per game. The Hawkeyes were 16-2 with her in the starting lineup.

Stremlow’s goal for the 2026–27 season has been to become more of an offensive threat.

“I’ve been working on every aspect of my game, but shooting has been a main focus for me,” says Stremlow. “I’m striving to become more confident offensively. I’m taking more shots in practice, and I hope that translates to the court.”

While much of Stremlow’s time is dedicated to hoops, she intentionally makes room for creative pursuits—including reading, watching movies, and writing poetry. Poetry has become an important way for Stremlow to reflect, recharge, and maintain perspective throughout a grueling season.

“I find a lot of value in self-care,” she says. “I tried journaling, but writing poetry really stuck for me. If it’s been a tough week or we’re traveling to away games, writing poems is something I gravitate toward throughout the week.”