The Iowa Men's Basketball program continues rebuilding after the end of the 2025 season. The Hawkeyes finished the season disappointingly with a 17-16 (7-13) record. Illinois ended Iowa's season in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament by Illinois.
After being eliminated in the Big Ten Tournament, Iowa did not receive an NCAA Tournament berth. This is the second consecutive season the Hawkeyes did not make the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa Athletic Director Beth Goetz promptly dismissed Head Coach Fran McCaffery a day after Iowa was eliminated in the Big Ten Tournament. Former Drake Men's Basketball Head Coach Ben McCollum replaced McCaffery on March 25.
McCollum has been rebuilding a decimated Iowa roster with several players entering the transfer portal. Iowa received good news on Wednesday after two former Drake Bulldogs will join McCollum at Iowa.
Kael Combs, guard (Drake)
— Kael Combs (@k1combs1) April 2, 2025
Former Drake Bulldogs' guard Kael Combs is joining the Hawkeyes after Ben McCollum moved to Iowa City. Before transferring to Drake and Iowa, Combs began his career at Wyoming. Combs announced his commitment on X on Wednesday.
Before starting at Wyoming, Combs was an unranked high school recruit from Missouri. He played his freshman year at Wyoming and then transferred to Drake for the 2024-2025 season.
Combs was a key reserve player for Coach McCollum in his lone season at Drake. He played in 31 games coming off the bench. Combs averaged 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 12.9 minutes per game for the Bulldogs.
Combs gives the Hawkeyes a solid reserve player who aims to carve out a bigger role on his new team.
Cam Manyawu, forward (Drake)
Go Hawkeyes!🐤 pic.twitter.com/YpAKALm0wD
— Cameron Manyawu (@CameronManyawu) April 2, 2025
Former Drake Bulldogs' forward Cam Manyawu is the second former Bulldog to transfer to Iowa after Ben McCollum took over as head coach. On3 reported Wednesday that Manyawu was making the two-hour move east to Iowa City.
Manyawu had a similar path to Combs, beginning in Wyoming before transferring to Drake and Iowa. In his freshman season at Wyoming, Manyawu averaged 7.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
Manyawu transferred to Drake for the 2024-2025 season. He started all 35 games for McCollum and the Bulldogs en route to a 31-4 record. In his only season at Drake, Manyawu averaged 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
The six-foot-eight forward is not a three-point shooter, as he has only attempted four three-point field goals in his career. He does most of his damage in the paint, shooting a career 59.1 percent from the floor.
Manyawu also struggles from the free throw line, shooting a career 53.6 percent from the charity stripe.
Manyawu gives the Hawkeyes a solid paint presence and a good rebounder. He will also bring leadership and experience with 45 career starts.
Head Coach Ben McCollum picked up two huge transfers as he continues to rebuild the Iowa roster.