A Revamped Roster
Iowa State is gearing up for the 2026‑27 basketball season, a campaign that will test the resilience of a roster reshaped by both loss and addition.
Star forward Joshua Jefferson suffered an ankle injury during the NCAA tournament, creating a significant gap in the team's frontcourt.
Head coach T.J. Otzelberger has answered the challenge by leveraging the transfer portal, bringing in fresh talent to complement the existing core.
Key Returning Guards
Among the players returning for another season, guards Jamarion Batemon and Killyan Toure stand out. Toure is widely praised for his defensive mastery, having been recognized as one of the nation's best guard defenders, while Batemon offers a high‑upside scoring threat.
Both athletes started the majority of games last year, with Toure and Blake Buchanan forming a potent starting lineup and Batemon providing a spark off the bench.
The duo is expected to form one of the strongest backcourts in the conference, giving the Cyclones a realistic chance to rebound strongly.
Coaching staff believe that another offseason of development will help Batemon and Toure take significant steps forward, turning potential into production.