The Iowa Hawkeyes are experiencing a period of change as they welcome in new head basketball coach Ben McCollum. However, a new head coach means new players are arriving, with old players either graduating or transferring.
Players Entering Iowa’s Program
Which players are heading to play for McCollum in Iowa City?
Badara Diakite, C
Ranked as the third-best high school center in the state of Connecticut, Diakite will look to be a force on the interior for a Hawkeyes team that will certainly need it due to the loss of talented center Owen Freeman.
Bennett Stirtz, PG
One of the best point guards in the country this season, Stirtz was the glue of the Drake Bulldogs, who made it to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.
The Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year is now transferring to play for his former head coach at Drake.
Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, F
McCollum was also able to land former four-star small forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu from Miami.
The Minneapolis native played in just eight games for a struggling Hurricanes team this year, but the 6’7″ defender might just need a new scene to unlock his full potential.
Players Leaving Iowa’s Program
Who are the players who have decided to leave the school in the wake of the major changes?
Josh Dix, PG
After averaging 14.4 points per game this season and shooting 42.2% from three-point range, Dix has decided to use his talents elsewhere.
The Council Bluffs, Iowa native made his mark as a great shooter and playmaker while playing for the Hawkeyes.
Owen Freeman, C
The Hawkeyes are also losing the co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year in big man Owen Freeman.
After averaging 16.7 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, and a field-goal percentage of just under 64%, Freeman recently announced his decision to transfer to Creighton.
Pryce Sandfort, F
Sandfort is another great role player who recently made the decision to transfer from Iowa this offseason.
The 40% three-point shooter could be a strong asset to whichever team he decides to play for next.
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Brock Harding, G
Harding was a key backup guard for former head coach Fran McCaffery at the end of his Iowa tenure.
The recent TCU transfer was another player who shot 40% from three-point land while dishing out over five assists per game.
Cooper Kock, F
Kock missed the final few months of the 2024-2025 season due to injury and will be looking to start fresh at a new program as a true sharpshooter.
Laadji Dembele, F
Dembele was a key member of the bench, averaging 4.5 points per game this season, but he may have the chance to flourish at another school with more opportunities.
Riley Mulvey, C
After appearing in just 19 games for the Hawkeyes and averaging 2.2 points per game this season, the New York native has decided to head back home to play for Siena.
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