
Iowa State Cyclones’ Backcourt Faces Injury Setbacks Ahead of Upcoming Season
The Cyclones' recent Sweet 16 run is now tempered by injuries to top recruits, forcing a reshuffle of the backcourt and reliance on transfers.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Christian Wiggins across Basketball.

The Cyclones' recent Sweet 16 run is now tempered by injuries to top recruits, forcing a reshuffle of the backcourt and reliance on transfers.

The Cyclones' recent Sweet 16 run and strong recruiting class are now shadowed by medical setbacks that could reshape the backcourt for the upcoming season.
The Iowa State freshman guard will sit out the upcoming campaign after a summer Achilles injury, yet his high school achievements and defensive reputation continue to generate buzz.
The NCAA has approved a five-year, age-based eligibility framework starting in 2026-27, affecting Iowa State's roster outlook and extending eligibility for seniors like Blake Buchanan while closing the door on transfers such as Taj Manning, Leon Bond III and Ryan Prather Jr.

Publisher Alec Busse discusses the Cyclone Alert's preview of Iowa State basketball, highlighting a deep roster and the impact of incoming freshman Dorian Rinaldo-Komlan.
The Iowa State Cyclones have risen in national height rankings and are targeting taller recruits to finally contend for a championship.

The Cyclones have made the NCAA Tournament every year for the past five seasons, and a new focus on taller players could finally translate into a national title run.

The Cyclones are reshaping their lineup for the upcoming campaign, adding talented transfers while keeping core players, positioning them to thrive despite early doubts.

The Cyclones are preparing for a season that mixes new talent with a strategic schedule, featuring home‑and‑home matchups against Kansas and Oklahoma State and a revised non‑conference slate.

From Florida’s dominant returners to Kentucky’s latest commit, the latest rankings spotlight a blend of seasoned talent and promising fresh faces across the nation

The Iowa State Cyclones are preparing for the upcoming season after a surprising off‑season move that saw senior sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic decide to continue his career with the Kentucky Wildcats. Coach T.J. Otzelberger had already factored the inevitable departures into his roster planning, knowing that several key contributors would be leaving after exhausting their eligibility. Among those leaving, Momcilovic’s 3‑point prowess will be missed, but the Cyclones have identified a potential replacement in Jamarion Batemon, who burst onto the scene as a freshman with a 37 % shooting clip from beyond the arc. Batemon’s emergence is complemented by a wave of transfers who add depth at multiple positions. Tre Singleton and Taj Manning have joined the program, bringing experience and versatility that can help offset Momcilovic’s loss in rebounding and defense. The Cyclones have also bolstered their perimeter with several new 3‑point threats, including Jaquan Johnson, Ryan Prather Jr., and Leon Bond, ensuring the team will not rely on a single shooter. Adding to the excitement, incoming freshman Christian Wiggins captured the 2026 Gatorade Player of the Year Award in Minnesota, highlighting the high expectations surrounding his arrival. With a blend of returning talent, strategic additions, and a coaching staff that anticipated roster turnover, Iowa State feels optimistic about its chances to remain competitive in the Big 12.
Jackson Kiss, a consensus four-star big man, has flipped his commitment from Iowa State to UNLV, prompting the Cyclones to lean on their current roster and recent transfer additions as they prepare for the 2026 season.

Jackson Kiss, a highly rated New Zealand forward, de‑commits from Iowa State and pledges to play for UNLV, prompting the Cyclones to lean on transfers and depth for the upcoming season.
Top recruit Jackson Kiss flips his pledge from Iowa State to UNLV, altering the composition of a top‑20 class and highlighting a busy period for both programs.

St. John's has risen to No. 16 in the 2026‑27 CBS Sports Preseason Top 25 And 1 rankings after securing a commitment from four‑star forward Theo Edema, while Coach Rick Pitino looks to bolster the roster with two additional transfers.

A look at Iowa State's rising recruiting class, highlighted by top‑100 talent Baboucarr Ann and the program's growing influence in the Midwest.