Iowa basketball: Joe Wieskamp receiving deserved national recognition

Iowa basketball player Joe Wieskamp decided to come back for his sophomore season, and he’s already beginning to receive national recognition.

Big things were expected from Joe Wieskamp the moment he arrived in Iowa City, and in his freshman season, he certainly did not support. From day one, the top-100 recruit was an impact starter for the Iowa basketball team.

Over 35 games (all of them starts), Wieskamp averaged 11.1 points on 48.8% shooting percentage while bringing in 4.9 rebounds per game. From being the arc, he shot an impressive 42% on an average of 4 attempts per game.

Advanced analytics loved him too. Out of all of the Iowa basketball players on last year’s team, Wieskamp had the highest win shares at 3.7, which is .5 shares higher than Jordan Bohannon and Luka Garza.

While he technically flirted with the NBA, there was only a small chance he would actually go. With the current rules, why wouldn’t he at least test the waters and learn a little more about what he can improve?

Now that he is officially returning, college basketball better watch out. A natural progression is expected in year two of the Iowa basketball program, but with 2 (and possibly 3) of last year’s starters not with the Hawkeyes next season, Wieskamp is expected to lead this team.

Leading a team with NCAA Tournament hopes is a big endeavor for a sophomore, but many believe he is up to the test including Andy Katz, a reporter who covers college basketball. 

Katz recently released his top-25 candidates for the Jerry West Award, which is given to the nation’s best shooting guard, and at 18th is the Iowa basketball team’s very own Joe Wieskamp.

Based on last year, Wieskamp primarily played at the 3, but my guess is given his size and natural scoring ability, he projects as a 2 at the next level so I have no beef with his inclusion from that standpoint.

All that said, getting on the list is cool, but there is a lot of work to be done. If Bohannon is out though, and Wieskamp steps up to be the leader the Iowa basketball team needs, I firmly believe he will be in the running to actually take him this coveted award.