Iowa Men's Basketball Head Coach Ben McCollum is no stranger to building programs from the ground up. When he arrived on Drake's campus, he rebuilt the roster from scratch. During his time in Des Mones, his Bulldogs were referred to as "DII Drake."
The program received this nickname after McCollum rebuilt the roster with players from Northwest Missouri State. The "DII Drake" Bulldogs went on to win a program record 31 games, and won their first NCAA Tournament game since 1971.
McCollum is adamant about forming a team culture focused on relationships and player development. The players he recruits must have good character first and foremost.
As of April 16, the Iowa Hawkeyes are ranked No.7 overall in the transfer portal team rankings by 247 Sports. The Hawkeyes have added six transfers (five from Drake) to rebuild their roster.
Bennett Stirtz, guard (Drake)
Bennett Stirtz started the Drake Bulldogs domino effect that brought five former Drake players to Iowa City. In his only season at Drake, Stirtz was one of the best players in the nation.
Stirtz averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game en route to being named the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Player and Newcomer of the Year.
He was also named the MVC Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after averaging 21.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.6 steals per game.
He scored double-figures in 33 of 35 games and 25-plus points seven times.
247 Sports ranked Stirtz as a five-star transfer and the No. 1 point guard (No. 2 overall) in the portal.
Cam Manyawu, forward (Drake)
Six-foot-eight forward Cam Manyawu was the second former Drake Bulldog to follow Ben McCollum to Iowa City. Manyawu started in all 35 games for the Bulldogs last season.
In his only season at Drake, Manyawu averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Manyawu does most of his damage in the paint, with a 59-percent career field goal percentage. He has a limited shooting range and does not stretch beyond the three-point line (only attempted four three-point field goals).
Manyawu uses his length and athleticism to cover forwards and centers down low and can rebound at a high rate.
247 Sports ranked Manyawu as a four-star transfer and the No. 36 power forward (No. 241 overall) in the portal.
Kael Combs, point guard (Drake)
Before transferring to Drake and then to Iowa, Kael Combs was an unranked recruit from Missouri. He began his career at Wyoming and transferred to Drake before the 2024-2025 season.
In his only season at Drake, Combs was a key reserve for Ben McCollum. He played in 31 games last season, all coming off the bench. Combs averaged 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game for the Bulldogs
Combs will try to carve out a bigger role for the Hawkeyes.
Combs is ranked as a three-star transfer and the No. 66 point guard (No. 380 overall) in the portal by 247 Sports.
Isaia Howard, shooting guard (Drake)
Before committing to Ben McCollum at Drake, Isaia Howard committed to North Dakota State, but re-opened his recruitment. He ultimately chose to play for McCollum at Drake.
During his freshman season at Drake, Howard averaged 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game in a reserve role. He appeared in 30 games for the Bulldogs last season, all coming off the bench.
Howard must continue to develop his offensive game if he wants to play meaningful minutes at Iowa. Last season, he shot 43.5 percent from the floor, 31.1 percent from three-point range, and 44.8 percent from the free throw line.
247 Sports ranked Howard as a three-star transfer and the No. 81 shooting guard (No. 340 overall) in the portal.
Tavion Banks, forward (Drake)
Tavion Banks began his career at Northwest Florida State Junior College. During his freshman year, he averaged 10.8 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Raiders. He transferred to Drake before the 2024-2025 season.
In his only season at Drake, Banks averaged 10.0 points on 52 percent shooting and 5.0 rebounds per game. After the season, he earned the MVC Sixth Man of the Year award. He was also named to the MVC All-Tournament Team after averaging 11.6 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Banks is a defensive stopper who can cover every position on the floor. He prides himself on defense and aims to bring that defensive intensity to the Hawkeyes.
247 Sports ranked Banks as a three-star transfer and the No. 47 (No. 302 overall) power forward in the portal.
Brendan Hausen, shooting guard (Kansas State)
Brendan Hausen is the first non-Drake player to commit to the Iowa Hawkeyes. Before joining the Kansas State Wildcats, Hausen spent two seasons with Villanova. In two seasons with Villanova, he averaged 4.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 13.3 minutes per game.
After transferring to Kansas State, Hausen became a starter for the Wildcats, averaging 10.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 27.6 minutes per game.
Hausen is a pure shooter who excels at taking and making three-point baskets. He shot 38 percent from behind the three-point line last season and has never shot below 38 percent from three-point land in his career.
Hausen gives the Hawkeyes instant offense and a pure scorer who can fill it up from anywhere on the floor.
247 Sports ranked Hausen as a four-star transfer and the No. 27 (No. 111 overall) shooting guard in the portal.
Head Coach Ben McCollum is working tirelessly to rebuild a depleted Iowa roster. He has added six transfers to aid in the rebuild and hopes to add more to round out the roster.