Breakout Candidate From Every Class on Iowa’s 2026-27 Roster

Every season provides a new opportunity for players to redefine their roles. Whether it’s increased playing time, another offseason to develop, or simply being put in a better position to succeed, someone always takes the next step. Iowa has plenty of talent throughout its roster, and several Hawkeyes are in position to have the best season of their careers. From a redshirt freshman ready to make an immediate impact to experienced veterans and talented newcomers, here’s the player from each class most likely to break out during the 2026-27 season.

Freshman

Trey Thompson

Thompson is entering Year 2 in the program but will still be listed as a freshman after using his redshirt last season. That’s a big reason why I believe he’s the freshman most likely to break out this year.

While Thompson didn’t appear in any games last season, he was developing behind the scenes every day. He practiced with the team, lifted and ate like a college athlete, and learned the speed, physicality, and intensity of Big Ten basketball firsthand. Because of that, he enters this season much more prepared than the typical freshman.

Thompson has all the tools to become a special player. Offensively, he’s shown the ability to score at all three levels, and at 6-foot-8, he moves exceptionally well for his size. Defensively, Ben McCollum’s system should allow Thompson to use his versatility by switching one through five and making an impact on that end of the floor.

His game gives off Aaron White vibes, but with the potential to be an even better shooter. There’s a reason Thompson received more than 20 Division I offers and was rated as a four-star recruit coming out of high school.

The potential is through the roof for a player like Thompson, and it’ll be exciting to see what he can accomplish in his redshirt freshman season. It’s easy to understand why Iowa fans are so eager to finally see him take the floor.

Sophomore

Ty’Reek Coleman

If there’s one thing that seems certain, it’s that Illinois State transfer Ty’Reek Coleman is going to be put in a position to succeed in Ben McCollum’s offense.

McCollum has always relied heavily on his point guard, often making that player the focal point of the offense. Throughout his coaching career, his lead guard has consistently been among the highest-volume scorers on the team, and Coleman has the skill set to thrive in that role.

Coleman is coming off a freshman season in which he averaged 10 points per game in just 22 minutes per contest. The stat that stands out most, though, is his three-point shooting. Coleman knocked down over 40 percent of his shots from beyond the arc as a freshman, showing the type of efficiency that should translate well to the Big Ten.

Coleman has said that hearing Bennett Stirtz talk about playing for Ben McCollum played a major role in his decision to transfer to Iowa, and it’s easy to see why.

Coleman is extremely quick with the basketball and has the ability to create quality looks for himself and his teammates. What has stood out to me even more this summer, though, has been his defensive tenacity. He’s consistently shown active hands, applying pressure and making life difficult for opposing ball handlers.

Even with players like Tate Sage and Cooper Koch also expected to take big steps forward, I believe Coleman has the best chance to see a major jump in production because of the role he’ll be asked to play in Iowa’s offense.

Junior

Andrew McKeever

It’s Year 3 of Andrew McKeever’s college career, and in each of his first two seasons he’s made noticeable strides. In fact, he essentially tripled his production from Year 1 to Year 2. This season, I believe another significant jump is coming.

Standing at 7-foot-3, McKeever is the tallest Hawkeye in program history, and Ben McCollum should have no shortage of ways to use him offensively. Expect Iowa to feature McKeever in plenty of actions around the basket while also taking advantage of his ability to make plays within the offense.

His minutes should increase from the 23 per game he averaged last season, and he’ll enter the year as Iowa’s starting center after coming off the bench for much of last year.

McKeever is another player with tremendous upside. If he’s consistently put in the right positions, he has all the tools to become a double-double threat on a nightly basis.

McKeever, Howard, and J. Koch are the only juniors on Iowa’s roster, and I believe McKeever has the best chance of the three to make a major leap this season.

Senior

Kael Combs

Kael Combs enters his senior season and his third year playing under Ben McCollum as one of only two seniors on Iowa’s roster.

Combs showed several times last season that he can be a legitimate scoring threat, but I think he’s capable of bringing much more to the table than simply getting buckets. With his experience running McCollum’s offense, Combs will be counted on to control the tempo, get the team organized, facilitate for his teammates, and make the right decisions with the basketball.

Now that he has a full season of Big Ten experience under his belt, I believe we’ll see Combs play with more confidence and freedom than ever before. His basketball IQ, combined with his familiarity in McCollum’s system, should create even more opportunities for him to break out as a player.

We saw Combs step up in several big moments at Nebraska, at Purdue, and in Iowa’s Elite Eight run last season, proving he can deliver when the lights are brightest. If he can build on that throughout an entire season, he has a great chance to put together the best year of his college career.

Cam Manyawu also has a great opportunity to take another step in his senior season, especially with McKeever establishing himself as Iowa’s true center. But when it comes to the senior class, I believe Combs is the player most likely to have a breakout season.

Closing Thoughts

If Iowa gets breakout seasons from even a couple of these players, the ceiling for the 2026-27 team rises significantly. With development across every class and clear roles emerging under Ben McCollum, the Hawkeyes have the kind of roster balance that can turn potential into production when it matters most.