McLain began her collegiate career at the University of Arkansas at Cossatot, competing under head coach Stan Asumnu and earning first team All-Region recognition during her freshman season. She then transferred to National Park College for her sophomore season, playing under head coach Eddie Broughton and helping the Nighthawks capture a regional championship. McLain earned first team All-Region and first team All-Academic honors at National Park.

A 2023 graduate of Cossatot River High School, McLain competed as a 6-foot forward for the Eagles at the 3A level under head coach Blake Alexander. The Cove native recorded single-game highs of 28 points as a junior, 15 rebounds as a senior, and eight steals as a senior during her high school career.

The three-year letterwinner helped the Eagles capture conference and district championships during the 2022-2023 season, along with a district championship and conference runner-up finish two years prior. McLain earned back-to-back All-Conference honors and then All-State recognition in 2023.

Hannah is the daughter of John and Jessica McLain and hopes to major in kinesiology ... chose JBU because she immediately felt welcomed by the team and coaches, and knew it was the perfect place to grow both as a player and a person.