Johnston High School’s Jenica Lewis, the highest-ranked basketball player in Iowa’s 2026 class, announced her college commitment to Notre Dame on November 6, selecting the Fighting Irish after completing her final official visit on the October 25th weekend.
Lewis, ranked as a 5-star prospect and the No. 22 player nationally by 247Sports Composite—and a 4-star, No. 24 recruit by ESPN—chose Notre Dame from a field of 48 Division I scholarship offers. In early August, she had narrowed her options to a final five of Iowa, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oregon, and TCU.
Championship Pedigree
The 5-foot-10 guard brings an impressive winning resume to South Bend, having captured two state championships and one runner-up finish across three high school seasons. Lewis has compiled a remarkable 76-2 record at Johnston and served as a crucial leader during the Dragons’ perfect campaigns in 2024 and 2025.
Her statistical progression shows consistent improvement throughout her high school career. As a freshman, Lewis contributed 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game while helping Johnston reach the championship game. Her sophomore year saw similar production with 12.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per contest.
Last season, Lewis elevated her performance across the board, averaging 18 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.5 steals while leading the Dragons to another state title.
Joining Elite Company
Lewis becomes the fourth member of head coach Niele Ivey’s 2026 recruiting class, which held the nation’s No. 1 ranking even before her addition. She will join three four-star forwards already committed to the Fighting Irish: Jacy Abii from Texas, Bella Ragone from Georgia, and Amari Byles from Texas. All three forwards are ranked among the top 25 players nationally by 247Sports Composite.
The commitment represents a significant recruiting victory for Notre Dame, securing one of the Midwest’s premier talents and further strengthening what was already considered the top class in women’s college basketball for the 2026 cycle.
