Former Iowa Men's Basketball player Drew Thelwell is headed to France

Thelwell will play his first professional basketball season overseas
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Drew Thelwell (3) goes in for a lay-up against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) on Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the second round of the men's Big Ten tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 106-94.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Drew Thelwell (3) goes in for a lay-up against Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) on Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the second round of the men's Big Ten tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 106-94. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Iowa Men's Basketball program is continuing its rebuild following a disastrous 2024-2025 season. In Fran McCaffery's final season at the helm of the Hawkeyes, they finished with a 17-16 (7-13 Big Ten).

The Hawkeyes suffered a crushing loss to Illinois in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. They also did not receive an invitation to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.

After the season concluded, the program immediately fired McCaffery and replaced him with Drake Head Coach Ben McCollum.

One of the bright spots of the 2024-2025 season was the toughness and leadership of senior guard Drew Thelwell.

The Morehead State transfer had a solid season for the Hawkeyes, but after going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft and not signing with an NBA team, Thelwell is taking his talents overseas.

Bienvenue en France! Thelwell announced on X that he is signing his first professional contract with Elan Bearnais in the second division of the French League.

Elan Bearnais has a rich history since its creation in 1931, but they have struggled lately. They have not won a ProB Regular Season Championship since 2013 and have not won a ProB Championship since 2010.

Thelwell will provide an immediate infusion of leadership into his new French Club as he looks to make an impact in his first professional season.

Last season for the Hawkeyes, Thelwell averaged 9.5 points, 3.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.

Thelwell will look to join the ranks of former Hawkeyes who have had great success at the professional level overseas, including Aaron White, Tyler Cook, and Jarrod Uthoff.

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