Nearly a month after surprising her close friend Jada Gyamfi with a cross-country visit, Gabbie Marshall is about to cash in on some reunion karma. This time, it’s Gyamfi’s turn to play the role of surprise guest, and she’s already on her way to North Carolina. Instagram saw it first, of course, with Gyamfi sharing a window-seat shot from a plane, dramatically hinting at her arrival in Marshall’s neck of the woods.
Gabbie Marshall wasted no time reposting the story, gushing in her caption: “Can’t wait to see you!” Well, if that doesn’t scream besties, what does?
For those out of the loop, Marshall – the legendary sharp-shooter and defensive dynamo for Iowa – has hung up her sneakers and is now focusing on a Master’s degree at the University of North Carolina. I mean, why stop with hoops when you can score a degree, right?
A Friendship Born on the Court
Marshall and Gyamfi forged their friendship while making history for Iowa. For the past two years, they were key players in Iowa’s most successful run ever – and you better believe they’re milking the nostalgia for all it’s worth. The duo, alongside Caitlin Clark, Monika Czinano, and others, turned Iowa women’s basketball into a must-watch show.
But when Marshall’s college career ended, the basketball gods cruelly split up the pair. Or at least tried to. After all, you can’t really keep best friends apart when they’ve got Instagram stories and frequent flyer miles, can you?
The Almost-Colorado Adventure
This summer, Marshall hatched a grand plan to escape to a Colorado cabin with Gyamfi and another Iowa star, Kate Martin. A secluded getaway? Sounds amazing, right? Unfortunately, the WNBA had other ideas. Martin was selected by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2024 draft, throwing their cozy cabin dreams straight out the window. So much for sipping hot cocoa and reminiscing about that magical Elite Eight run.
But hey, no one ever said long-distance friendships were easy, especially when one of you is in Iowa and the other is trying to juggle grad school in North Carolina. Marshall did her best to surprise Gyamfi last month by popping up in Iowa like the world’s best unannounced guest. She even documented the whole thing on TikTok – from packing her bags to catching Gyamfi in a full-on emotional moment. Tears were shed, hugs were had, and TikTok had a field day.
What Happens in Iowa, Gets Posted on Instagram
Since then, the dynamic duo hasn’t stopped flooding social media with their adventures. Instagram stories, TikTok videos, cryptic posts—you name it, they’re all over it. At this point, if you’re not following these two, are you even living?
They even roped in other Hawkeye legends, including the great Caitlin Clark, for some classic fall football moments at Kinnick Stadium. The crew, which included Monika Czinano and Sharon Goodman, along with current Hawkeyes stars like Hannah Stuelke and Addison O’Grady, soaked in the vibes. You know, just a casual hangout of basketball royalty, no big deal.
So, what’s next for Marshall and Gyamfi? Well, if the Instagram story trail is to be believed, we’re about to see a reunion down in Chapel Hill. And if history is any indication, you can expect lots of selfies, impromptu TikTok dance routines, and maybe even a cameo from Kate Martin between her WNBA commitments.
Whatever happens, one thing is clear: Gabbie Marshall and Jada Gyamfi are the friendship goals we didn’t know we needed. Stay tuned for the next episode of “Where in the World Are These Hawkeye Besties?” because it’s bound to be another cross-state adventure.
