Hawkeye Men's Basketball Adds First Portal Transfer

Ty'Reek Coleman, a guard from Illinois State, joins Iowa for next season.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:27pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of blue, green, and orange, capturing the fluid motion and overlapping perspectives of a basketball game in an abstract, cubist style.A cubist interpretation of the dynamic energy and strategic movements of a college basketball game, reflecting the Hawkeyes' addition of a skilled transfer guard.Aurora Today

Iowa Men's Basketball Head Coach Ben McCollum has landed his first transfer portal addition for next season, securing a commitment from Ty'Reek Coleman, a 6'2" guard who played one season at Illinois State. Coleman, who has three years of eligibility remaining, averaged 10.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game for the Redbirds last season, shooting an impressive 41.6% from three-point range.

Why it matters

The addition of Coleman provides a much-needed boost to the Hawkeyes' backcourt, as they look to reload after losing several key contributors from last season's squad. McCollum has a history of developing talent from the mid-major level, and Coleman's shooting ability and experience could make him an immediate contributor in the Big Ten.

The details

Coleman played in all 32 games for Illinois State last season, making 19 starts. While he was largely recruited by mid-major programs due to concerns about his body frame, McCollum and the Hawkeyes are confident he can make the transition to the physicality of the Big Ten. When Illinois State faced larger programs like USC, Wake Forest, Auburn, Utah State, and Dayton, Coleman averaged 7.8 points per game as a freshman.

  • Coleman played one season at Illinois State during the 2025-26 campaign.
  • He will join the Hawkeyes and have three seasons of eligibility remaining starting in the 2026-27 season.

The players

Ty'Reek Coleman

A 6'2" guard who played one season at Illinois State, averaging 10.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 41.6% from three-point range.

Ben McCollum

The head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team, known for his ability to develop talent from the mid-major level.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to add Ty'Reek to our program. He's a talented shooter who can really space the floor, and we believe he has the potential to thrive in the Big Ten.”

— Ben McCollum, Head Coach, Iowa Hawkeyes

What’s next

Coleman will join the Hawkeyes for the 2026-27 season and look to make an immediate impact in the Big Ten.

The takeaway

The addition of Ty'Reek Coleman, a skilled guard from the mid-major ranks, demonstrates Iowa's ability to identify and develop talent from outside the Power Five conferences. This move could pay dividends for the Hawkeyes as they aim to build on their recent success and compete for a Big Ten title.