Tavion Banks announced his departure from the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball program on Instagram, ending a two‑year stint that saw him become a key contributor on the court and a fan favorite off it. In a heartfelt post he thanked the coaching staff, his teammates and the Hawkeye faithful for the support that helped shape his development.
A Brief Look Back
Banks, who declared for the 2026 NBA Draft in April while entering the transfer portal, will not return to Iowa despite having been granted an extra season of eligibility by a court injunction that extended the 2022 class’s college careers. He capped his Iowa career by playing all 37 games last season, starting 35 of them, and finishing as the team’s leading rebounder and second‑leading scorer.
During that season he recorded double‑figure scoring in 19 games, highlighted by a 26‑point effort in a road win over Indiana and a 20‑point performance in Iowa’s upset over top‑seeded Florida in the NCAA Tournament. His rebounding prowess and scoring versatility made him one of the most reliable pieces of the Hawkeyes’ Elite Eight run.
From Drake to Iowa and Beyond
Before arriving in Iowa City, Banks transferred from Drake Bulldogs, where he earned the 2024‑25 Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Man of the Year honor after two junior‑college seasons. He joined Iowa as one of six transfers following head coach Ben McCollum’s move from Drake, a move that brought a new infusion of talent to the program.
The Hawkeyes will return 10 players from last season’s Elite Eight roster, including Cam Manyawu, Kael Combs, Cooper Koch, Tate Sage, Isaia Howard, and others, while adding four newcomers — Ty'Reek Coleman, Andrew McKeever, Ethan Harris and Jaidyn Coon — to reshape the squad for the upcoming campaign.
Looking Ahead
With his college eligibility now exhausted, Banks turns his focus to the professional arena, where he hopes to translate his rebounding and scoring skills to the NBA stage. His departure marks the end of a chapter for Iowa basketball but also opens a pathway for the returning core and fresh faces to build on the momentum generated by a program that continues to attract top talent.