We currently have 1 Open Roster Spot if Tavion Banks returns in 2026-27

[Franisdaman]

April 2, 2026 Update:

Jaidyn Coon committed today.

Assuming Tavion Banks is back & no one else departs, we would have 14 of the 15 roster spots filled for 2026-2027 (13 on scholarship, 1 walk on).

6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (SR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (SR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (SR)

6'5 G Isaia Howard (JR)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (JR)

6'7 G Tate Sage (SO)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS SO)
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS SO)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (SO)

6'8 F Trey Thompson (RS FR)
6'8" PF Ethan Harris (FR)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (RS FR)
6'7 SF Jaidyn Coon (FR)

.................................................................................

Original Post (Feb 19, 2026):

Ben said on Hawk Talk last night that they have filed the paperwork for Tavion to get one more year at Iowa. Now it's a waiting game.

 

[Hawksfor3]

They've filed the paperwork; now it's a waiting game.

Said something about waiting on a football ruling or something, didn't he. Had something to do with JUCO transfers?

 

[Franisdaman]

Said something about waiting on a football ruling or something, didn't he. Had something to do with JUCO transfers?

Yeah, I think it has to do with whether his 2 juco years will count or not.

2022-2023: Northwest Florida State Junior College
2023-2024: Northwest Florida State Junior College
2024-2025: Drake
2025-2026: IOWA

Tavion will turn 23 on April 1; son of Ericka Banks; has 5 brothers and 2 sisters; majoring in interdepartmental studies.

Tavion Banks - Men's Basketball 2025-26

Tavion Banks - Men's Basketball 2025-26

hawkeyesports.com

 

[MacMiney]

Oh good.

The NCAA will get right on that.

I hope all those NCAA staff members are not too busy to make this simple ruling.

God knows all the intense work and busy important stuff they have to deal with every hour of every day.

All that highly paid diligent intelligent professionals and their important jobs coming into work each day and working their asses off. This is in good hands.

 

[2432Hawk]

Yeah, I think it has to do with whether his 2 juco years will count or not.

2022-2023: Northwest Florida State Junior College
2023-2024: Northwest Florida State Junior College
2024-2025: Drake
2025-2026: IOWA

Tavion will turn 23 on April 1; son of Ericka Banks; has 5 brothers and 2 sisters; majoring in interdepartmental studies.

Tavion Banks - Men's Basketball 2025-26

Tavion Banks - Men's Basketball 2025-26

hawkeyesports.com

I also believe he played 3 years of HS Ball in KC at Ruskin High, then played 2 years at MN Prep in western Minneapolis suburbs.

 

[uihawk82]

Ben said this on Hawk Talk last night.

They have filed the paperwork; now it's a waiting game.

Well hit me in the head with a hammer. This should be a no brainer because there are football players in college for 7-8 years; there are young players to go to the NBA in some form and have agents, not NIL agents, but agent agents who are now coming back to play college bball.

So dont tell me Tavion cant get another season, that would be criminal, I mean juco is juco

 

[uihawk82]

Ben said this on Hawk Talk last night.

They have filed the paperwork; now it's a waiting game.

But he will probalby get the Drew Ott treatment!!!!!!!!!

 

[HawkBall23]

I would not say no to some more TB next season.

 

[kdhawk_rivals345464]

I’d love to have him back!

 

[Hawk48]

It would be great to have a healthy TB back next year

 

[Franisdaman]

As of now, there are 3 seniors on the 14 man IOWA roster (13 on scholarship).

6'4 G Bennett Stirtz (SR)
6'4 G Brendan Hausen (SR)
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)

6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (JR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (JR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (JR)

6'5 G Isaia Howard (SO)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (SO)

6'7 G Tate Sage (FR)
6'8 F Trey Thompson (FR)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS FR)
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS FR)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (FR)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (FR)

 

[HawkBall23]

So everyone, but Stirtz and Hausen, will be back next season if TB is granted the waiver.

So that means a couple/few transfers will be needed to round things out.

 

[83Hawk]

But he will probalby get the Drew Ott treatment!!!!!!!!!

Wouldn’t surprise me.

 

[Franisdaman]

So everyone, but Stirtz and Hausen, will be back next season if TB is granted the waiver.

So that means a couple/few transfers will be needed to round things out.

are you thinking what @EvilMonkeyInTheCloset is thinking???

 

[Palmerhawk]

As of now, there are 3 seniors on the 14 man IOWA roster (13 on scholarship).

6'4 G Bennett Stirtz (SR)
6'4 G Brendan Hausen (SR)
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)

6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (JR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (JR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (JR)

6'5 G Isaia Howard (SO)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (SO)

6'7 G Tate Sage (FR)
6'8 F Trey Thompson (FR)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS FR)
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS FR)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (FR)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (FR)

So with Ethan Harris joining and hopefully tavion back that leaves 2 or 3 spots to add,right,?

Ben has said he wants a pg,maybe 2, and a rim protector.

We can maybe not have too big a dropoff losing stirtz if we add two more decent shooters.

 

[HawkBall23]

are you thinking what @EvilMonkeyInTheCloset is thinking???

 

[Bulldogs1974]

Pavia got an extra two and was looking for more. **** anyone that played at nw mizz should probably ask for more.

 

[CRHAWK]

Pavia got an extra two and was looking for more. **** anyone that played at nw mizz should probably ask for more.

It's only Bennett that played D2 but I think he will go pro no matter what and as he should. TB should definitely come back though

 

[Franisdaman]

So with Ethan Harris joining and hopefully tavion back that leaves 2 or 3 spots to add, right?

Ben has said he wants a pg, maybe 2, and a rim protector.

We can maybe not have too big a dropoff losing stirtz if we add two more decent shooters.

You can have a maximum of 15 total roster spots (can be a combination of scholarship players and walk-ons).

With Tavion Banks & Ethan Harris, we are at 13 filled spots (12 on scholarship, 1 walk on).

Would 1 remaining spot be used for a portal PG and the other for a portal shooting guard?

 

[Franisdaman]

So everyone, but Stirtz and Hausen, will be back next season if TB is granted the waiver.

So that means a couple/few transfers will be needed to round things out.

Assuming Tavion is back & no one else departs, we would have 13 of the 15 roster spots filled for 2026-2027 (12 on scholarship, 1 walk on).

6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (SR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (SR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (SR)

6'5 G Isaia Howard (JR)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (JR)

6'7 G Tate Sage (SO)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS SO)
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS SO)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (SO)

6'8 F Trey Thompson (RS FR)
6'8" PF Ethan Harris (FR)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (RS FR)

 

[Pharcyded]

Assuming Tavion is back & no one else departs, we would have 13 of the 15 roster spots filled for 2026-2027 (12 on scholarship, 1 walk on).

6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (SR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (SR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (SR)

6'5 G Isaia Howard (JR)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (JR)

6'7 G Tate Sage (SO)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS SO)
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS SO)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (SO)

6'8 F Trey Thompson (RS FR)
6'8" PF Ethan Harris (FR)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (RS FR)

I’d guess at least one current player transfers.

 

[Franisdaman]

I’d guess at least one current player transfers.

Scott says Iowa hasn't had a PG impact an Iowa team like Stirtz since Andre Woolridge. And then you'd have to go back to Ronnie Lester.

Iowa struggles to score now. What will it look like next year without Stirtz?

Check this out & watch:

 

[MacMiney]

Ben said this on Hawk Talk last night.

They have filed the paperwork; now it's a waiting game.

Assuming Tavion is back & no one else departs, we would have 13 of the 15 roster spots filled for 2026-2027 (12 on scholarship, 1 walk on).

6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (SR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (SR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (SR)

6'5 G Isaia Howard (JR)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (JR)

6'7 G Tate Sage (SO)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS SO)
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS SO)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (SO)

6'8 F Trey Thompson (RS FR)
6'8" PF Ethan Harris (FR)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (RS FR)

 

[TampaHawkFan]

As to Banks coming back - yes, please.

As for those 2 open roster spots.. Assuming no one transfers out.. Whatever Ben does to fill those two slots, he better make it count. PG and a big, IMO.

 

[Palmerhawk]

As to Banks coming back - yes, please.

As for those 2 open roster spots.. Assuming no one transfers out.. Whatever Ben does to fill those two slots, he better make it count. PG and a big, IMO.

Does kael combs almost fit better at pg than shooting guard?
He struggles shooting from perimeter but has decent handle and can get in paint and finish at rim. Passing is ok.
If so, then maybe we bring in a HS pg and a portal sg who is a real sniper.
We need depth at guard.
And a rim protector?

 

[Max Rebo]

I’d guess at least one current player transfers.

I was going to say the same thing.

I don't see practices, so this is rank amateur speculation, but I think there are probably players on our roster who have no path to ever seeing meaningful playing time. And while I understand that there's got to be guys who are comfortable being the 13th, 14th, or 15th guys in the pecking order, I'm not sure you can afford to roster players who have little potential to contribute at any point in their careers. This is particularly the case with the limited 15-man roster ... this isn't the old days when you could put 6-8 guys on the Gray Team.

In short, I don't think it would be a bad thing to head into portal season with 3-4 spots available. Gives you greater flexibility in case one or more of your additions doesn't pan out the way you hope. Because we all know that can happen.

 

[Franisdaman]

I’d guess at least one current player transfers.

I was going to say the same thing.

I don't see practices, so this is rank amateur speculation, but I think there are probably players on our roster who have no path to ever seeing meaningful playing time. And while I understand that there's got to be guys who are comfortable being the 13th, 14th, or 15th guys in the pecking order, I'm not sure you can afford to roster players who have little potential to contribute at any point in their careers. This is particularly the case with the limited 15-man roster ... this isn't the old days when you could put 6-8 guys on the Gray Team.

In short, I don't think it would be a bad thing to head into portal season with 3-4 spots available. Gives you greater flexibility in case one or more of your additions doesn't pan out the way you hope. Because we all know that can happen.

3 candidates, in order (IMO):

6'2 G Jacob Koch.................. 2 years remaining
6'9 F Joey Matteoni.........3 years remaining
6'11 C Trevin Jirak................3 years remaining (his red shirt was burned yet he hardly plays)

 

[TampaHawkFan]

3 candidates, in order (IMO):

6'2 G Jacob Koch.................. 2 years remaining
6'9 F Joey Matteoni.........3 years remaining
6'11 C Trevin Jirak................3 years remaining (his red shirt was burned yet he hardly plays)

Trey Thompson? Did he redshirt? He has no stats, so I assume yes.

 

[HawkBall23]

As to Banks coming back - yes, please.

As for those 2 open roster spots.. Assuming no one transfers out.. Whatever Ben does to fill those two slots, he better make it count. PG and a big, IMO.

The big needs to have size, and not just height, as well as strength.

Can't be some thin twig that will absolutely and continuously get easily moved from position - defensively AND offensively - by his opposing contemporaries in a conference like the B1G.

 

[TampaHawkFan]

The big needs to have size, and not just height, as well as strength.

Can't be some thin twig that will absolutely and continuously get easily moved from position - defensively AND offensively - by his opposing contemporaries in a conference like the B1G.

100% agree

 

[Palmerhawk]

The big needs to have size, and not just height, as well as strength.

Can't be some thin twig that will absolutely and continuously get easily moved from position - defensively AND offensively - by his opposing contemporaries in a conference like the B1G.

Like the big German frosh at ISU?

These euro bigs have played vs grown men in euro pro leagues and are long and strong but can move their puppies...like the Wash frosh German.

 

[Franisdaman]

Trey Thompson? Did he redshirt? He has no stats, so I assume yes.

Yep; he did redshirt. Ben says his offense has always been there and his defense is almost there.

 

[Franisdaman]

The big needs to have size, and not just height, as well as strength.

Can't be some thin twig that will absolutely and continuously get easily moved from position - defensively AND offensively - by his opposing contemporaries in a conference like the B1G.

Ben said last year that bigs in the transfer portal were too expensive.

 

[Herky T Hawk]

Assuming Tavion is back & no one else departs, we would have 13 of the 15 roster spots filled for 2026-2027 (12 on scholarship, 1 walk on).

6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (SR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (SR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (SR)

6'5 G Isaia Howard (JR)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (JR)

6'7 G Tate Sage (SO)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS SO)
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS SO)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (SO)

6'8 F Trey Thompson (RS FR)
6'8" PF Ethan Harris (FR)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (RS FR)

No offense to coach and his family, but if roster spots become a problem, is Peyton really worthy of keeping a walk-on spot? I have no idea about how good of a player he was coming out of high school. I'm not that worried about it because we should never have to worry about spot #15 on the roster other than having someone to run the scout team stuff, and you'd think a coach's son may be better at that than others.

 

[HawkBall23]

Ben said last year that bigs in the transfer portal were too expensive.

That's shiddy news, because in a P4 conference, you NEED at least 1 quality big.

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

Ben said last year that bigs in the transfer portal were too expensive.

Hopefully he's got Euro's to try to pull in and maybe a little more funds for this years shopping list than last year.

Jirak should keep improving too, but need another.

 

[Slim45]

Much rather have guard additions than big man additions. Cams back, Alvaros back, Jiraks back. Plus the possibility of Banks. Go get some guards

 

[Skydog0784a!]

Here’s the football JUCO case some of you are referencing…

I think Banks has a real good chance. Once the exception has been granted, it’s hard to claw it back.

https://eliteathletesrecruiting.com...w-junior-college-juco-eligibility-rules-2025/

 

[TrojanHawkeye]

As of now, there are 3 seniors on the 14 man IOWA roster (13 on scholarship).

6'4 G Bennett Stirtz (SR)
6'4 G Brendan Hausen (SR)
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)

6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (JR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (JR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (JR)

6'5 G Isaia Howard (SO)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (SO)

6'7 G Tate Sage (FR)
6'8 F Trey Thompson (FR)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS FR)
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS FR)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (FR)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (FR)

McCollum is on scholarship? Why?

 

[Burghawk87]

McCollum is on scholarship? Why?

It honestly doesn't matter if he's scholarship or not, all players count toward the total 15 roster spots.