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

The 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball will join the Hawkeyes next season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a high school basketball player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes in Iowa's team colors of black, gold, and white, conveying the dynamic energy of the sport.Coon's commitment to Iowa adds another top in-state talent to the Hawkeyes' roster for the 2026-27 season.Storm Lake Today

Jaidyn Coon, a four-star recruit and the 2026 Mr. Basketball in Iowa, has announced his commitment to play for the University of Iowa men's basketball team. The 6'7" wing averaged 22 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game during his senior season at Storm Lake High School.

Why it matters

Coon's commitment is a major recruiting win for the Hawkeyes, as he was originally committed to Creighton before reopening his recruitment. His decision to join Iowa's program boosts the team's outlook for the 2026-27 season and beyond, as he is considered one of the top in-state prospects.

The details

Coon announced his commitment to Iowa via X, saying 'Thank you Lord for blessing me with an opportunity of a lifetime. I dreamed as a kid playing at the collegiate level. Lastly, I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this process, GO HAWKS!' The Hawkeyes also have 4-star forward Ethan Harris from Washington signed for the 2026 class, along with several young players from the 2025 class who saw limited minutes this past season.

  • Coon announced his commitment on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • The men's basketball transfer portal opens on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 and runs through Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

The players

Jaidyn Coon

A 6'7" four-star recruit and the 2026 Mr. Basketball in Iowa, who averaged 22 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game during his senior season at Storm Lake High School.

Ben McCollum

The head coach of the Iowa men's basketball team, who landed the commitment from Jaidyn Coon.

Ethan Harris

A 6'9" four-star forward from Camas, Washington who signed with Iowa in November 2025 as part of the 2026 recruiting class.

Trevon Jirak

A young player from Iowa's 2025 recruiting class who saw limited minutes this past season.

Trevor Thompson

A young player from Iowa's 2025 recruiting class who saw limited minutes this past season.

Cooper Koch

A young player from Iowa's 2025 recruiting class who had a big impact for the Hawkeyes this past season.

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What they’re saying

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

— Jaidyn Coon

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will look to add more talent through the men's basketball transfer portal, which opens on April 7 and runs through April 21.

The takeaway

Coon's commitment is a major recruiting win for Iowa, as he was originally committed to Creighton before reopening his recruitment. His decision to join the Hawkeyes boosts their outlook for the 2026-27 season and beyond, as he is considered one of the top in-state prospects.