Some MASSIVE recruiting wins could be on the horizon for Iowa men's basketball, thanks to Ben McCollum's aggressive style.
McCollum is entering his second year at the helm of the Hawkeyes and hasn't shied away from taking big swings in recruiting. The program has already brought in the 2025 and 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball recipients, Trevin Jirak and Jaidyn Coon, alongside four-star forwards Trey Thompson and Ethan Harris.
After adding Keller Daugherty to the 2027 recruiting class, the Hawkeyes have a loaded frontcourt for the foreseeable future. McCollum and company aren't stopping there, and have aggressively recruited multiple high-ranked guards with the hope of adding even more talent.
Their aggressive pursuit is paying off.
Top-15 2027 prospecr Cayden Daughtry has scheduled an official visit to Iowa City
McCollum isn't resting on his laurels after taking the program to its first Elite Eight since 1987, especially after star point guard Bennett Stirtz heads to the NBA. Iowa has been linked to top guard prospect Jaxson Davis, who recently scheduled an official visit, and the program recently added another OV with another top guard target.
2027 Top-15 overall prospect Cayden Daughtry has scheduled an official visit to Iowa, he told @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) June 16, 2026
The 6-foot rising senior is one of the top point guards nationally and currently leads the EYBL in scoring (23.7 PPG).
Story: https://t.co/oIHdGUUwYE pic.twitter.com/OPOg2CO8RY
2027 top-15 guard prospect Cayden Daughtry has reportedly locked in an official visit to Iowa City, giving the program another OV with a top 2027 guard. If there is one prospect McCollum cannot afford to let slip away, it's Daughtry, as his immense talent is a must-have for the program.
Not only has he been tearing up the Nike EYBL circuit this summer, but Daughtry has also recently gotten the call from Team USA and is diligently working to make the Under-17 squad for the FIBA Under-17 World Cup later this summer. His talent is undeniable, and he is the closest thing to Bennett Stirtz the program can get. No one will ever be Stirtz, but Daughtry's talent gives him the best chance to do what he did for the program.
Daughtry has been on Iowa's radar since McCollum took over the program in March 2025, and the program remains extremely active in his recruitment. The program's hard work has paid off as Rivals currently gives Iowa the best chance to sign him at 39.3 percent.
Daughtry is STILL option 1 for McCollum and the Hawkeyes
Our stance on Daghtry's position on McCollum's theoretical priority list hasn't changed, and he continues to prove it more and more every day. Daughtry has all the skills to impact the program from day one, and the program has to maintain its status as his top projected destination. McCollum's system is very guard-friendly, and he is well known for his no-nonsense approach, something Daughtry has said he appreciates.
In a pay-walled article by Rivals' Joe Tipton, Daughtry thoroughly discussed why Iowa is among his top choices, stating that he could definitely see himself playing for Iowa due to the style of play and McCollum's coaching style. Daughtry is saying all the right things, and after scheduling an official visit, Iowa is seemingly very close to earning one of the biggest recruiting wins in McCollum's short tenure.
Getting Daughtry to Iowa City is a top priority, and McCollum and his staff have done all the right things so far in his recruitment.
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