After an inconsistent final collegiate season with the Hawkeyes, Brendan Hausen is proving why he was such a highly valued transfer before last season.
Before joining Ben McCollum in his first year in Iowa City, Hausen was considered a three-point specialist who could light it up from anywhere on the court. During his three seasons before joining the Iowa program, Hausen never shot below 38 percent from beyond the arc, with 455 of his 523 field goal attempts coming from three-point range. Hausen's limited role with the Hawkeyes last season hasn't affected his confidence, and he is making the most of his opportunity with Memphis in the Summer League.
Hausen continues proving why he is worthy of a chance after another 20-point outburst
Hausen's lackluster final collegiate season left him undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, but he was so impressive during workouts for multiple teams that Memphis added him to its Summer League roster. After a slow start, Hausen came alive in the Grizzlies' final Utah Summer League game in Salt Lake City, dropping a team-high 21 points. As he continues to force his way into the discussion for a roster spot, he put up another dynamic shooting display, this time against Golden State.
20-piece for @HausenBrendan 👏 https://t.co/PhuV1B8OlZ
— Iowa Men's Basketball (@IowaHoops) July 15, 2026
Hausen played the second-fewest minutes of anyone on the Grizzlies squad against the Warriors, but he made the most of his minutes. In 19 minutes off the bench, he scored 20 points on an extremely efficient 78 percent shooting from the field and 75 percent from beyond the arc, knocking down six three-pointers. Cam Boozer might be the headliner of the squad during the Summer League, but Hausen is showing what he can do.
He continues to light it up from anywhere on the court, something he was known for doing before his brief stop in Iowa City. As an undrafted roster addition, it is an uphill battle for Hausen to make the roster, but he is doing everything he can to show out this summer. He is proving that when he gets playing time, he can impact the game on offense, especially with his elite three-point shooting ability.
Unfortunately for Hawkeye fans, we did not see much of this last season, but we all owe Hausen a big apology.
Hausen deserves an apology from Hawkeye fans everywhere
As a highly touted transfer, Hausen was expected to come into Carver-Hawkeye Arena and light up the scoreboard, but that just didn't happen. After a slow start, Hausen didn't see much playing time, including multiple DNPs and limited minutes, before carving out a small role late in the season. There is no telling why he fell out of the rotation, but now we are seeing what he can truly do when the minutes are there.
Not all transfers work out, and that was the case for the Hawkeyes and Hausen. Fans appreciated how he handled his limited role without complaining, but we all expected more from him. He was brought in to shoot the ball and shoot it well, and that didn't happen, causing some fans to sour on him quickly. It went from excitement about his arrival to skepticism every time he hoisted a three-pointer, putting even more pressure on him to succeed.
In his limited tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies, he is proving that he can be a high-volume, efficient shooter in the starting lineup or as a reserve, and Hawkeye fans owe him an apology for criticizing every shot he took. It will be interesting to see what Memphis decides about his future, especially since the organization doesn't currently have any available two-way slots. It is a long shot for Hausen to make the Grizzlies roster, and if they don't waive or reassign any two-way players, Hausen might be on the outside looking in.
Regardless of whether it's in Memphis or elsewhere, Hausen has definitely opened some eyes and has played his way into roster contention with his elite shooting. Some teams with open two-way spots are the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, and Toronto Raptors. Hausen could also easily catch on with a G League organization if he isn't signed to a two-way deal.
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