Ben McCollum and the Iowa program were blessed that 10 of 13 players from last season returned, shrinking the adjustment period for next season.
Iowa lost three players from last season, including Alvaro Folgueiras (transfer portal), Bennett Stirtz (graduation), and Brendan Hausen (graduation), but added more talent to the roster. The program added four new players to the roster, including two transfers (Ty'Reek Coleman and Andrew McKeever) and two via the 2026 recruiting class (Ethan Harris and Jaidyn Coon).
With summer practices in full swing, one of those newcomers has been turning heads early on.
Ethan Harris has been a early standout in the summer
First-year player Tate Sage was a pleasant surprise for the Hawkeyes and Ben McCollum last season, providing an instant spark off the bench. Sage's play last season showcased how meticulous McCollum is on the recruiting trail, and he doesn't simply throw offers to every big-name talent out there. McCollum has admitted that he recruits a certain type of player, and Ethan Harris is exactly that.
Freshman Ethan Harris has been really, really impressive. Forced a couple of turnovers that led to breakaway open dunks. He also has hit a few threes and showcased his quick release. He’s the lengthy versatile type player that Ben McCollum loves.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) July 8, 2026
Harris was a highly sought-after four-star prospect from Washington and was ranked as the state's No. 1 overall prospect. He averaged 18.8 points per game during his junior year at Camas High School, but he is showcasing much more than his scoring ability. According to 247Sports Hawkeye Insider David Eickholt, Harris has been very impressive early in the summer.
He showcased his defensive ability by forcing multiple steals that led to easy fast-break dunks for the offense, and he also knocked down multiple long-range shots, showcasing his solid shooting stroke from beyond the arc. Harris was known for his offensive arsenal coming out of high school, and if he continues to show his defensive versatility, we could easily see him in the rotation much sooner. McCollum won't pull the trigger too early and will make sure he is truly ready, but early signs have been good for Ethan Harris.
Even though it is only summer practices, if Harris continues his stellar play, he might force McCollum's hand, and that isn't a bad thing. Harris has shown early on that he is a versatile guard-forward hybrid who excels on both ends, something McCollum covets. Having multiple versatile players is never bad, and if Harris continues developing, he could easily be one of the biggest steals of the 2026 recruiting class.
Add us as a preferred source on Google