Two Players from the Transfer Portal Linked to the Hawkeyes
New Iowa Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ben McCollum is in the process of reconstructing the team after several players entered the transfer portal. Following the dismissal of long-time coach Fran McCaffery on March 14, nine players opted to enter the portal.
McCollum was able to persuade Cooper Koch to stay with the Hawkeyes, leaving eight players still in the transfer portal. Additionally, Iowa lost three recruits who chose to decommit from the program.
To address the gaps in their roster, the Hawkeyes have turned to the transfer portal. Since McCollum’s arrival in Iowa City, the team has welcomed three transfers from the portal: Bennett Stirtz, Kael Combs, and Cam Manyawu, all from Drake University.
Iowa still has significant work ahead to rebuild its weakened roster, but there are two transfer portal targets associated with Iowa who could help in the rebuilding process.
Austin Rapp, forward (University of Portland)
Source: Portland transfer forward Austin Rapp is down to five schools (in no order):
Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Clemson, Oregon
The 6-10 freshman averaged 13.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Knocked down 83 threes this season, at a 35% clip. https://t.co/Fq9bRZCPqd pic.twitter.com/r9otRy7Kug
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 1, 2025
On3 Sports has reported that the highly sought-after transfer portal target Austin Rapp has narrowed his options down to five schools, with Iowa being one of the potential destinations he’s considering.
The six-foot-ten freshman forward from Melbourne, Australia, had an impressive first season with the University of Portland Pilots, averaging 13.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Rapp, known for his sharpshooting, made 83 three-pointers with a shooting percentage of 35%.
As a modern stretch forward, Rapp excels at hitting three-point shots and is also effective defensively, averaging 1.5 blocks per game.
Although he was unranked as an international prospect from Australia, he is now considered a four-star prospect in the transfer portal.
Additionally, Rapp is currently ranked as the No. 165 prospect in the transfer portal by 247 Sports.
Tavion Banks, guard (Drake University)
Drake guard Tavion Banks has entered the transfer portal with a do not contact tag, @On3sports has learned.
He averaged 10.1 points and 5 boards per game this season. https://t.co/uOWMfDRMry pic.twitter.com/t8Z15Y5EUE
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 1, 2025
Transfer portal target Tavion Banks, who should not be confused with Iowa Hawkeyes legend Tavian Banks, is reportedly on Iowa Men’s Basketball’s radar. If he joins the team, he will be alongside three other former Drake Bulldogs who have followed coach Ben McCollum to Iowa City.
The six-foot-seven forward had a productive season, averaging 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 52%. He was also recognized as the Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Man of the Year.
Prior to his time at Drake, Banks averaged 10.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game at Northwest Florida State Junior College during the 2023-2024 season.
Although Banks was unranked as a high school prospect and currently does not have a ranking in the transfer portal, Head Coach Ben McCollum will need to utilize the portal to replenish the Iowa Men’s Basketball roster for 2025
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