Iowa Lands Prized 2026 Recruit Jaidyn Coon

The Hawkeyes have officially signed the 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball to their roster.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball player in mid-jump shot, with the figure broken down into overlapping planes of navy, gold, and crimson, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.Coon's signing is a major coup for the Hawkeyes as they look to build a championship-caliber roster under head coach Ben McCollum.Iowa City Today

The Iowa Hawkeyes basketball program has officially signed Jaidyn Coon, the 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball, to their roster. Coon, a 6-foot-6 wing from Storm Lake, Iowa, had previously been committed to Creighton but decommitted after the retirement of longtime Blue Jays head coach Greg McDermott. He chose to stay in-state and join Ben McCollum's program in Iowa City.

Why it matters

Coon is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, ranked as the 49th-best small forward nationally and the third-best player in the state of Iowa. His signing is a major coup for the Hawkeyes, who are looking to build a championship-caliber roster under McCollum's leadership.

The details

Coon had offers from several other Big Ten programs including Iowa State, Illinois, and Nebraska before ultimately deciding to join the Hawkeyes. With the departures of Bennett Stirtz to the NBA and the potential loss of Tavion Banks, Coon will have the opportunity to earn significant playing time as a freshman and make an immediate impact for Iowa.

  • Coon verbally committed to Iowa on April 2, 2026.
  • Coon officially signed with the Hawkeyes on April 16, 2026.

The players

Jaidyn Coon

A 6-foot-6, 180-pound wing from Storm Lake, Iowa, who was named the 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball and is ranked as the 49th-best small forward in the 2026 recruiting class.

Ben McCollum

The head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball program, who is building a talented young roster in Iowa City.

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What they’re saying

“Coon is one of the first to buy into what we're building here, and I think he could do a lot of winning in the black and gold before his collegiate career is done.”

— Ben McCollum, Head Coach, Iowa Hawkeyes

What’s next

Coon will look to earn a starting role and significant playing time as a freshman for the Hawkeyes, as the team aims to contend for a Big Ten championship in the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Jaidyn Coon's decision to stay in-state and join the Iowa Hawkeyes is a major recruiting win for head coach Ben McCollum, who is building a talented young roster in Iowa City. Coon's arrival could help propel the Hawkeyes to new heights in the coming years.