Storm Lake Native Jaidyn Coon Commits to Iowa Men's Basketball

Three-star forward chooses Hawkeyes after decommitting from Creighton

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a basketball game, with the players' bodies and the ball broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color.Coon's commitment to Iowa adds another talented piece to the Hawkeyes' 2026 recruiting class.Storm Lake Today

Ben McCollum and the Iowa men's basketball team have secured their first commitment of the 2026 offseason, landing three-star prospect and Storm Lake, Iowa native Jaidyn Coon. The 6-foot-6 forward originally committed to Creighton before decommitting and taking an official visit to Iowa, ultimately deciding to join the Hawkeyes.

Why it matters

Coon is considered one of the top recruits in the state of Iowa for the 2025-26 class, and his commitment is a big boost for the Hawkeyes' recruiting efforts. Iowa has now landed two 2026 recruits, with Coon joining four-star forward Ethan Harris from Washington.

The details

Coon announced his commitment to Iowa on his X account on Thursday. He was previously committed to Creighton before head coach Greg McDermott announced his retirement, leading Coon to decommit on March 24. Coon took his official visit to Iowa on March 30 before deciding to join the Hawkeyes.

  • Coon decommitted from Creighton on March 24, 2026.
  • Coon took his official visit to Iowa on March 30, 2026.
  • Coon announced his commitment to Iowa on April 2, 2026.

The players

Jaidyn Coon

A three-star forward from Storm Lake, Iowa who was named the 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball after averaging 22 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

Ben McCollum

The head coach of the Iowa men's basketball team who has now landed two 2026 recruits, including Coon and four-star forward Ethan Harris.

Greg McDermott

The former head coach of the Creighton men's basketball team, who announced his retirement after 16 seasons, leading Coon to decommit from the program.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you Lord for blessing me with an opportunity of a life time, I dreamed as a kid playing at the collegiate level. Lastly I wanna thank everyone who has supported me throughout this process! GO HAWKS🐤”

— Jaidyn Coon

The takeaway

Coon's commitment is a significant recruiting win for Iowa, as they were able to land one of the top in-state prospects in the 2026 class. His addition, along with the previously signed four-star Ethan Harris, gives the Hawkeyes a strong foundation for the future as they look to build on their recent success.