Former Hawkeye guard Tavion Banks just received some great news about his college basketball future, which isn't necessarily great news for Iowa.
Banks had a solid season for the Hawkeyes last year, and if it wasn't for superstar Bennett Stirtz leading the way, he was easily Iowa's best player. After a bit of a slow start, Banks became Iowa's clear No. 2 option behind Stirtz and had the best collegiate season of his career. After exhausting his college eligibility, Banks applied for a fifth year and was waiting on an NCAA decision. The five-year, age-based model was implemented, but a recent court ruling gave Banks what he was waiting for.
A Colorado judge granted a class-wide injunction to the 2022 recruiting class
Banks initially entered the NBA Draft and the transfer portal, claiming that if he was granted a fifth year, he wanted to return to Iowa. After a long process, a Colorado judge granted the 2022 class an injunction for the new NCAA five-for-five rule, effectively granting all college athletes five years of eligibility. That did not help Banks and the rest of his class, but the injunction paves a path for members of the 2022 recruiting class a way to return to play college sports if they choose to.
Judge Charlotte Sweeney granted the injunction, claiming members of the 2022 class would suffer "irreparable harm" due to the new NCAA ruling, but members on the other side are pushing for Congress to step in to limit the amount of "chaos" her ruling could spark. People are questioning whether recent undrafted free agents from the 2026 NFL and NBA Drafts will seek to return to college, and the ruling opens a whole new door that programs weren't prepared for.
Despite Banks claiming he wanted to return to Iowa for a fifth year, that seems less likely now after his recent statement.
Banks hightlight the 'best BASKETBALL fit,' thanked Iowa in a recent statement
What seemed like an absolute certainty a few months ago has become a lot more murky with Judge Sweeney's ruling. Banks sounded very certain that he would return to the Hawkeyes IF he was granted another year of eligibility, but now that he has it, he didn't sound as confident in a reunion with the program.
Today’s news is something I prayed for 🙏. I’m hungry & ready to get to work in my final year. Much love to Iowa, a year I won’t forget! Im excited to find the best BASKETBALL fit for my final year!!
— tavion banks (@tavionbanks2) August 1, 2026
Banks did not specifically say that returning to Iowa was off the table, but he also didn't mention that he was seriously considering a return. He stressed the idea that he is looking for the best basketball fit for him next year, and his cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter) is a little more nerve-wracking than Iowa fans would like. He could easily mean that Iowa is the best fit for him, and that he will quickly return, but he could also mean that he is searching for another program that is an even better fit.
Iowa made it to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987 in Ben McCollum's first season, largely due to Banks' play, and he would be an instant upgrade for the program if he returns. With multiple new pieces in place and important returners back in the fold, there is no question that Iowa has the potential to make another deep run, and Banks would solidify that even further. While it would have been nice for him to rejoin the Hawkeyes immediately, in the new era of expanded NIL with multiple programs likely ready to throw the bag at him, it isn't completely surprising that he continues to explore his options.
Banks proved that Iowa is the best fit for him and hopefully for all parties involved, he returns to Iowa so the squad can make another deep run next season.
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