Joshua Jefferson was recently crowned the Gary Thompson Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year, a distinction that places him among the most celebrated Cyclone athletes and marks him as the 18th basketball player in school history to receive the honor, ending a seven‑year gap since the last recipient.
His season was defined by historic milestones: he became the first player in Big 12 history to notch multiple triple‑doubles in conference play, posted a 40‑game streak that ranked second nationally, and averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
Jefferson’s statistical impact was reflected in his 34 double‑figure scoring games and 167 assists, numbers that tie him for 19th on the Cyclones’ all‑time assist list and underscore his All‑American pedigree recognized by six different organizations.
The award also situates him alongside previous Cyclone greats such as Melvin Ejim and Georges Niang, and marks the first time since Monté Morris in 2017 that a Iowa State men’s basketball player has earned the Gary Thompson accolade.
Following the honor, Jefferson was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves, a selection that makes him the 42nd draft pick in Iowa State history and the 11th to be chosen in the opening round of the NBA Draft.
He was subsequently traded to the Brooklyn Nets, where he will continue his professional career under the NBA banner, a league whose official site is nba.com.
A Cyclone Spotlight at Jack Trice Stadium
Iowa State will recognize Jefferson’s achievements at the football season opener against SEMO on September 5 at Jack Trice Stadium, integrating his basketball legacy into the broader Cyclone sports narrative.