Well, this one definitely hurts.
Iowa men's basketball's improbable run to the Elite Eight thrust them into the national spotlight, and the publicity has been extremely beneficial on the recruiting trail.
The program locked up 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball Jaidyn Coon, and added talented transfers, Ty'Reek Coleman and Andrew McKeever. Even with Iowa's upward trajectory, it wasn't enough to secure a commitment from a top-50 prospect in the 2027 class.
Iowa failed to lock up Donovan Davis as he heads to a hated rival
Ben McCollum has not failed to reel in most every player and prospect he's wanted, and remains in play for multiple talented prospects.
Even though McCollum and company won't lose sleep over losing a recruit, losing a recruit they have been aggressively recruiting, stings.
NEWS: Donovan Davis, Rivals’ No. 31 overall recruit in the 2027 class, has committed to Iowa State, he told @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) May 7, 2026
The 6-7 forward becomes one of the highest-ranked players to choose the Cyclones in the modern recruiting era. https://t.co/a1wRWB22N9 pic.twitter.com/iagJrQlbqq
Iowa was in the mix for top-50 2027 prospect Donovan Davis, but they fell just short after he decided to head to Iowa State.
Davis' decision not only hurts because he is one of the best athletes in the 2027 class, but also because he had to choose the Cyclones over everyone else on his final five list.
Davis averaged a double-double last season for Freedom High School in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, with 21.7 points and 12.0 rebounds per game.
He gives the Cyclones another versatile forward for T.J. Otzelberger to use, and leaves Iowa searching for its first prospect in the class.
There is no doubt that Ben McCollum and his staff will learn from this and move on, but this definitely doesn't feel good.
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