Jackson Kiss, a four-star forward originally pledged to Iowa State, announced his decommitment and signed with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, sending a ripple through the Cyclones' recruiting class.
Head coach T.J. Otzelberger publicly backed Kiss's choice, stressing that freshmen need clear pathways to playing time to develop fully, a philosophy that now guides the program's approach to roster construction.
Iowa State enters the 2026 campaign with three incoming freshmen — Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan, Christian Wiggins and Yusef Gray Jr. — while also welcoming five transfer additions, including frontcourt pieces Tre Singleton and Taj Manning.
The Cyclones' current roster blends youthful talent with experienced transfers, positioning the team to remain competitive despite the loss of a highly touted recruit.
Background on the New Zealand native
Kiss hails from New Zealand and sharpened his game at Utah Prep, where he played alongside A.J. Dybantsa, a connection that has drawn attention from analysts tracking his versatile skill set and relentless motor on both ends of the court.
His contributions helped New Zealand's U-17 national team achieve its highest-ever finish at the 2024 FIBA U-17 World Cup, underscoring his potential on the international stage.
With the transfer portal still active, Iowa State remains open to late additions, but for now the focus is on integrating the existing group and maximizing the development of its freshmen under Otzelberger's system.