USA Basketball honor for 2 Iowa targets proves Ben McCollum is barking up the right tree

The excitement surrounding the Iowa Men's Basketball program continues to grow as we approach summer workouts.

The Hawkeyes welcomed two talented transfers in Andrew McKeever and Ty'Reek Coleman, alongside Ethan Harris and Jaidyn Coon from the 2027 recruiting class. After making it to the Elite Eight last season, all eyes are on Ben McCollum in his second season at the helm, and he has all the pieces in place to repeat that magical run.

A massive part of maintaining program success is hitting home runs on the recruiting trail, something McCollum has a chance to do with two prospects who recently got the call from USA Basketball.

Iowa targets Cayden Daughtry, RJ Evans got the call from USA Basketball

The Under-17 USA Men's Basketball squad is looking to earn another gold medal at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup later in June, selecting 36 athletes for a summer training camp, including two Iowa targets.

Two names Hawkeye fans need to become more familiar with are Cayden Daughtry and RJ Evans, both targets of the men's basketball program. McCollum and the coaching staff have been extremely active in Daughtry's recruitment, recently traveling to Memphis to watch him in person.

Daughtry lit up the scoreboard during a Nike EYBL Session II game, dropping 37 points on an efficient 15/23 shooting from the field. Even as far back as December 2025, it was reported that Iowa had been in constant contact with Daughtry, indicating strong interest in him. He is one of the representatives of the 2027 recruiting class and has risen to become a top target for the program.

RJ Evans is another intriguing Iowa target who made the field of 36, and if his last name rings a bell, it should. Evans' dad, Reggie Evans, was a big part of the Iowa Men's Basketball program from 2000 to 2002. Even though he went undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft, he carved out a nice 13-year NBA career.

RJ has great length and athleticism and, like his dad, has become known for his grit and toughness on both ends of the court. RJ is one of the representatives of the 2029 recruiting class. Even though neither prospect has committed to the Hawkeyes yet, it proves McCollum knows what he is doing in recruiting.

Under the previous regime, the program was often criticized for targeting players singularly focused on the offensive side of the ball, and after last season, McCollum proved that his method works. He stated during the NCAA Tournament that he recruits only tough-minded players and lets the basketball side fall into place.

With two Iowa targets getting the call from USA Basketball, it proves McCollum's prowess in recruiting, and even though it might be obvious that a program wants that caliber of players, Iowa Men's Basketball is not used to having them on its radar. The foundation for success has been laid, and now McCollum and the program must maintain the momentum.

McCollum's new contract extension proves the University of Iowa has faith in him, and that faith will continue to grow if he can snag players like Daughtry and Evans from the recruiting trail.

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