Lots of interesting updates from the Register beat writer:
Ben McCollum's plan for final touches of 2026-27 Iowa basketball roster
Tyler Tachman
Des Moines Register
May 5, 2026, 6:02 a.m. CT
IOWA CITY — 14 of Iowa basketball’s 15 roster spots for the 2026-27 season are accounted for.
The Hawkeyes are returning 10 players from last season’s Elite Eight roster while also adding four newcomers — two from the transfer portal and two incoming freshmen.
That leaves one opening still available.
Iowa coach Ben McCollum said during a May 4 interview with the Des Moines Register that he has
no further clarity on Tavion Banks’ situation.
Banks played four seasons of college basketball and went through senior-day festivities at Iowa. But because two of those seasons came at the junior-college level, the door isn't closed on the possibility of him being granted more NCAA eligibility.
Banks, Iowa’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer last season, announced in April that he was declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft and entering the transfer portal, but stated, "If a fifth year (of college eligibility) becomes an option, I want to be a Hawkeye!"
With
Iowa operating as if Banks won’t be able to return to the Hawkeyes, that gave both parties maximum flexibility.
“That’s why he went into the portal,” McCollum said. “And that’s probably the same thing with Iowa State and Milan (Momcilovic). It’s like,
you can’t sit there and wait and save that much NIL money that he would command. So you have to operate (as if he isn’t coming back). And then if it happens sooner — so, for instance, if that fifth-year rule had come through — now you might have some NIL (money), and you have a spot. But if you don’t have that, then you have to make sure you look out for the best interest of the kid. And so, that was our theory. We have to make sure we look out for Tavion, too.”
McCollum outlined another potential scenario that explains the benefit of Banks entering the transfer portal.
If Banks couldn't get another season of eligibility granted by the court system in Iowa, it's possible he could try to do so in another state, which would allow him to play for a college program located in that state.
McCollum said he does not know when Banks' complex situation could be resolved.
With that in mind, Iowa is still looking to add to its 2026-27 roster.
“Passively,” McCollum said. “We are. We’re looking for a real specific thing, so you’re not just sitting in there in the weeds the whole day.”
When asked for specifics, McCollum answered:
“The only thing we’d take is another guard.”
Iowa is bringing back Kael Combs, who started the final 33 games alongside star senior Bennett Stirtz last season. The Hawkeyes’ backcourt returners also include Tate Sage, Isaia Howard and Peyton McCollum. Iowa is adding Illinois State transfer Ty’Reek Coleman to the group. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 10 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 50.4% from the field and 41.6% from deep as a true freshman.
If Iowa were to bring in another guard, McCollum did not close the door on that
coming via the transfer portal, international, or a high school prospect reclassifying.
When it comes to roster-building for the 2026-27 season, the bulk of the work is done. But it might not be completely over just yet.
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