Finley Commits to Drake Women's Basketball
Cedar Falls guard Karis Finley will join former high school teammate Grace Knutson at Drake.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
Karis Finley has committed to Drake women's basketball, where she will reunite with Grace Knutson, her teammate at Cedar Falls. The pair compiled a 38-9 record in two seasons of high school basketball together.
Why it matters
The commitment adds a familiar face to Drake's roster as the program looks to build on last season. Finley's decision was influenced by Knutson already being on campus.
Knutson and Finley posted a combined 38-9 record across two high school seasons together at Cedar Falls. Drake finished 10-10 in the Missouri Valley Conference last season, and Knutson averaged nine points, with Finley's freshman role not yet defined.
The players
Karis Finley
A Cedar Falls guard who led her team in several statistical categories as a senior and is now headed to Drake as a freshman.
Grace Knutson
A Drake guard entering her third season with the program after helping Cedar Falls reach the 2024 state semifinals alongside Finley.
Allison Pohlman
The Drake head coach entering her sixth season leading the Bulldogs women's basketball program.
The details
Finley committed to Drake 162 days after Cedar Falls lost to Dowling Catholic in the 2024 state semifinal. Finley led her Cedar Falls team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals during her senior season.
Timeline
2024: Cedar Falls loses state semifinal to Dowling Catholic.
162 days after the semifinal loss: Finley commits to Drake.
November 3, 2026: Drake opens its season against Eastern Illinois.
Big Picture
Drake finished 10-10 in the Missouri Valley Conference last season, and the Finley commitment is positioned as a way to build on that record. Adding a player who previously competed alongside Knutson gives the program continuity as it heads into the 2026-27 campaign.
Fans following Drake women's basketball can track Finley as a freshman addition to the roster when the season opens November 3 against Eastern Illinois. Her arrival gives the Bulldogs another guard with a proven high school scoring and all-around resume.
The takeaway
Familiar teammates often shape college recruiting decisions, and Finley's choice shows how existing connections can influence where players land. Drake fans should watch how the Cedar Falls duo fits into the rotation this season.
What happens next
Drake women's basketball opens its season on November 3 against Eastern Illinois.
Further reading
For more coverage of college hoops in the region, explore Basketball news.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Des Moines Register.
