It was clear early on that Drake Bulldogs transfer Tavion Banks was Iowa's second-best player behind Bennett Stirtz.
Stirtz was the focal point on offense, but without Banks, the Hawkeyes would have been in a way worse situation.
Banks was Iowa's second-leading scorer behind Stirtz with 10.2 points per game, and was Iowa's leading rebounder with 4.6 per game, as he guided Iowa to their best season finish since 1987.
Banks' unexpected rise started at the junior college level before he joined Ben McCollum at Drake for his junior season and then followed him to Iowa for his senior season. After Iowa's loss to Illinois, the senior gave a startling update that should get everyone excited.
If he is granted another year, Banks will return to Iowa
There is currently a lawsuit seeking to grant junior college players who make the jump to Division I an extra year of eligibility.
While Banks awaits the ruling, he said that if he is given a chance, he will return to the Hawkeyes next season.
Tavion Banks said postgame that if he’s granted another year of eligibility, he will be coming back to Iowa next season.
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) March 29, 2026
“If I get another year, I will be here on their side.” pic.twitter.com/uCyCvYKIOs
Banks left no room for interpretation when he stated that if he is granted one more year of eligibility, he will "be here on their side."
This stunning revelation is music to the ears of all Hawkeye fans and Ben McCollum, who would love to see their starting forward return to Iowa City for one more season.
Banks is a key part of the foundation that the program established this season, and what better way to keep the tradition going than to have a key member of the squad for one more season.
Banks' fate is out of his hands for the time being, but just hearing he wants to return is great news after a heartbreaking loss in the NCAA Tournament.