After being recruited by schools from across the country, Jadda Buckley chose the one closest to home.

The Mason City, Iowa, native was by recruited schools such as Ohio State and UCLA. The consensus top-50 recruit said she has always wanted to play for Iowa State’s coaches.

“[Bill Fennelly is] intense; he’s competitive, and he wants to win — which are all things that I want to do as well,” Buckley said.

Buckley is one of four freshmen on Iowa State’s roster. After graduating three seniors — including WNBA players Anna Prins and Chelsea Poppens — ISU coach Fennelly is looking for players to fill their shoes.

“Jadda Buckley will be a major part of our team, no question,” Fennelly said. “She’s a kid from our state, and I think she’s going to do a lot of really really good things here.”

Buckley was the ninth-ranked point guard in her class by ESPN. In high school, Buckley was a two-time first-team all-state player.

Her biggest success came as a 3-point shooter. She broke Mason City High School’s record of career 3-pointers with 131 and shot 44 percent from beyond the arc.

Fennelly, however, wants to take advantage of a different part of Buckley’s game.

“One of the things that I think Jadda [Buckley] can do: she can defend at a Big 12 level,” Fennelly said. “Jadda, I think, embraces that a little bit.”