Iowa State Men's Basketball Gains 5 Transfers

The Cyclones reload with a mix of defensive prowess, Big 12 experience, and scoring punch.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:03am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the abstracted figures of basketball players in motion, with the court and arena fading into the background in a fractured, multi-perspective style.The infusion of five talented transfers injects new energy and potential into the Iowa State men's basketball program as they aim to compete at a high level in the Big 12.Clarksburg Today

The 2026-27 Iowa State men's basketball team will feature five new transfer players: Leon Bond III, Tre Singleton, Taj Manning, Jaquan Johnson, and Ryan Prather Jr. The transfers bring a mix of defensive prowess, Big 12 experience, and scoring punch to bolster the Cyclones' roster for the upcoming season.

Why it matters

Rebuilding through the transfer portal has become a common strategy in college basketball, and Iowa State is looking to leverage this approach to reload their roster and compete in the Big 12 Conference. These five transfers are expected to play key roles and provide an immediate impact for the Cyclones.

The details

Leon Bond III, a 6-foot-5 junior, is a versatile perimeter defender who spent two seasons at Northern Iowa. Taj Manning, a 6-foot-7 forward, comes to Iowa State after four years at Kansas State, including a redshirt season during the team's 2022-23 Elite Eight run. Jaquan Johnson, a 5-foot-11 guard, is the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year, known for his lockdown defense and scoring ability. Tre Singleton, a 6-foot-8 forward, started 31 of 34 games last season at his previous school. Ryan Prather Jr., a 6-foot-5 guard, is coming off a breakout redshirt junior campaign at Robert Morris, where he showcased his perimeter shooting and all-around offensive game.

  • The five transfers announced their commitments to Iowa State over the weekend of April 13, 2026.

The players

Leon Bond III

A 6-foot-5 junior transfer from Northern Iowa, known for his defensive prowess and versatility on the perimeter.

Taj Manning

A 6-foot-7 forward who spent four years at Kansas State, including a redshirt season during the team's 2022-23 Elite Eight run.

Jaquan Johnson

A 5-foot-11 guard who was the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Bradley, known for his lockdown defense and scoring ability.

Tre Singleton

A 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward who started 31 of 34 games at his previous school last season.

Ryan Prather Jr.

A 6-foot-5, 205-pound guard from Clarksburg, Maryland, who is coming off a breakout redshirt junior campaign at Robert Morris, showcasing his perimeter shooting and all-around offensive game.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to welcome this talented group of transfers to our program. They each bring unique skills and experiences that will help us continue to build a championship-caliber team.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Head Coach, Iowa State Men's Basketball

What’s next

The new transfers will join the returning Cyclones players as they begin offseason workouts and prepare for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Iowa State is aggressively rebuilding its men's basketball roster through the transfer portal, bringing in five talented players with a mix of defensive skills, Big 12 experience, and scoring ability. This influx of new talent is expected to provide an immediate boost as the Cyclones aim to compete at a high level in the conference.