Iowa forward Jada Gyamfi has warm reaction to Gabbie Marshall being Ruler of the Jungle before Bengals game
Former Iowa Hawkeyes basketball star and Jada Gyamfi's ex-teammate Gabbie Marshall returned to her native Cincinnati, Ohio, to attend the Cincinnati Bengals' game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium on Saturday.
She was recognized as the "Ruler of the Jungle" as part of the Cincinnati Bengals' fan experience before the NFL Week 5 matchup, which saw the home team lose 41-38 in overtime. Outside the Paycor Stadium, Marshall was enthusiastically cheering for the Bengals and shared glimpses of it on Instagram.
"I had such a great time being Ruler of the Jungle today! Thank you @bengals for such a fun experience for my family and I! Who dey! 🧡 #rulethejungle #whodey," Marshall wrote in the caption of her post.
Basketball star Jada Gyamfi dropped a two-word reaction to the post:
"Love You," she commented.
Gabbie Marshall announces her retirement from basketball
After spending five seasons and starting in four of them with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Gabbie Marshall announced her retirement in May to not continue her basketball career and decided to opt into graduate school instead.
After thinking much about it, Marshall decided against entering the WNBA draft and chose to chart a new career path. She took to social media to announce her retirement, where she penned a heartfelt note to all Hawkeyes fans who supported her and the team in her five years there.
"Thank you Iowa and Hawkeye Nation for being my home away from home, for showing me so much love and support & for giving me the best ending to the sport that has shaped my life," she wrote in the caption.
In 2024, the Iowa Hawkeyes made it back to the NCAA championship game, where they were taken down by the eventual winners, the South Carolina Gamecocks. Marshall averaged 6.1 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals in 29.5 minutes per game in 36 games last season.
The year before, the team spearheaded by Caitlin Clark and Gabbie Marshall were defeated by Angel Reese's LSU Tigers.
Overall, Gabbie Marshall took the basketball court wearing Iowa's jersey in 166 games between 2019 and 2024. She averaged 6.6 points on 40.6% shooting, 1.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists.