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Iowa Basketball: Key player gets a extra year of eligilbilty

By Cole Gross

IOWA CITY, IOWA- DECEMBER 06: Forward Cordell Pemsl #35 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes to the basket in the second half against guard Talen Horton-Tucker #11 of the Iowa State Cyclones on December 6, 2018 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- DECEMBER 06: Forward Cordell Pemsl #35 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes to the basket in the second half against guard Talen Horton-Tucker #11 of the Iowa State Cyclones on December 6, 2018 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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The Iowa basketball team’s offseason has been tough, but they got good news as one of the hardest workers on the team gets an extra year with the Hawkeyes.

It has been an offseason that may have come as a surprise for many Iowa basketball fans. Losing key players from last years team, Tyler Cook to the NBA, Mashie Dailey via transfer and one that comes with a surprise Isaiah Moss via grad transfer. Iowa now has 3 scholarships open but has missed on a couple of transfers as of late.

The program received some much-needed good news Friday. Junior forward Cordell Pemsl was granted an extra year of eligibility by petitioning the Hardship Waiver. Instead of having one year left going into his senior season, Pemsl will have two years remaining playing for the Iowa basketball team.

Cordell is the second Iowa basketball player to receive this Hardship wavier. The last player to receive this waiver was Connor McCaffery.

After playing UMKC (University of Missouri Kansas City) and Iowa State, Pemsl underwent season-ending knee surgery in December. Since his high school days playing basketball, Cordell has battled many hiccups with his knees. I give him a ton credit as he hasn’t been shy or timid when battling adversity and has kept his high motor throughout. In 68 career games for the Hawkeyes, Cordell Pemsl has averaged 7.2 pts and 4.7 per game. That is pretty solid for a guy coming off the bench and dealing with the injuries.

It has to be a blessing for coach Fran McCaffery and his program knowing that he will have a key asset remaining with his team for two years.

Next. Hawks strike out on three transfer prospects. dark

With the loss of the aforementioned players above, I look for number 35 to be a key component in the Iowa basketball team’s success in the 2019-20 basketball season.