The Iowa Hawkeyes are undergoing significant changes as they welcome Ben McCollum as their new head basketball coach from Drake of the Missouri Valley Conference. This coaching transition has led to an influx of new players from the Bulldogs, while several former players have either graduated or entered the transfer portal.
Players Entering Iowa’s Program
F Cam Manyawu, Drake
The sophomore forward committed to Iowa on April 2 after starting all 35 games for Drake. Manyawu, who previously played at Wyoming, averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. He is expected to help fill the void in the frontcourt left by Freeman and Dembele.
G Bennett Stirtz, Drake
Considered one of the top point guards nationally this past season, Stirtz was a key player for the Drake Bulldogs, who advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.
The Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year is transferring to play for McCollum, his former head coach at Drake.
G Kael Combs, Drake
The sophomore guard averaged 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game as a reserve at Drake. He followed McCollum to Iowa and will provide additional depth in the backcourt.
G Isaia Howard, Drake
The sophomore guard played in 30 games for Drake last season, averaging 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds. He will add depth to the Iowa backcourt.
F Tavion Banks, Drake
The junior forward was named the Missouri Valley Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field at Drake. His scoring ability and efficiency will be important for Iowa’s second unit.
Players Leaving Iowa’s Program
Which players have decided to depart the school following the coaching changes?
G Josh Dix
The junior guard, who led Iowa with 14.4 points per game while shooting 50.7% from the field and 42.2% from three-point range, entered the portal on March 19. His transfer to Creighton is a significant loss for the Hawkeyes, as Dix scored in double figures in 27 of 32 games and was the team’s most consistent offensive threat.
C Owen Freeman
The Hawkeyes are also losing Owen Freeman, the co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year in the frontcourt. Freeman averaged 16.7 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, and shot just under 64% from the field. He recently announced his transfer to Creighton.
F Pryce Sandfort
Sandfort, another key role player, recently decided to transfer from Iowa this offseason and committed to Nebraska on April 4.
G Brock Harding
Harding was a significant backup guard for former head coach Fran McCaffery at the end of his tenure at Iowa. He committed to TCU on March 27.
G Isaiah Johnson-Arigu
The sophomore guard entered the transfer portal on April 4, shortly after joining Iowa midseason as a transfer from Miami. He has committed to St. Thomas on April 12.
F Ladji Dembele
Dembele was a key reserve, averaging 4.5 points per game this season. He entered the portal on March 20, seeking more playing time at another school.
C Riley Mulvey
After playing in just 19 games for the Hawkeyes and averaging 2.2 points per game this season, the New York native decided to transfer back home to play for Siena on March 18.
F Chris Tadjo
The freshman forward from Montreal entered the portal on March 27 with three years of eligibility remaining after averaging 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 11 games.
G Carter Kingsbury
The 6’4″ guard entered the transfer portal on April 9 after playing sparingly during the 2024-25 season. He remains uncommitted.
G Seydou Traore
The 6’7″ guard entered the transfer portal on April 3. He attended Our Saviour New American School in New York for high school.
Beyond the transfer portal activity, Iowa lost three high school recruits who decommitted following McCaffery’s departure. However, freshman Cooper Koch is a notable exception, choosing to remain with the program after being convinced by McCollum to stay.
With the transfer portal window closing on April 22, the Hawkeyes face a significant rebuild but maintain some familiarity through McCollum’s recruitment of players he previously coached.
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