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Grandview Today
By the People, for the People
Iowa State Adds Five Transfers to Men's Basketball Roster
Cyclones bolster lineup with players from Northern Iowa, Bradley, Kansas State, Robert Morris, and Northwestern
Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:53pm
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The new-look Iowa State Cyclones will feature an infusion of talented transfers ready to make an impact on the court.Grandview TodayIowa State head men's basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger has announced the addition of five transfers to the 2026-27 Iowa State roster. Leon Bond III (Northern Iowa), Jaquan Johnson (Bradley), Taj Manning (Kansas State), Ryan Prather Jr. (Robert Morris) and Tre Singleton (Northwestern) will all join the Cyclones this summer.
Why it matters
The five new transfers are expected to provide an immediate boost to the Cyclones' lineup, adding depth, experience, and talent across multiple positions. The additions come as Iowa State looks to build on its recent success and compete for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
The details
Bond, a 6-5 guard, was an All-Defensive Team selection in the Missouri Valley Conference and helped lead Northern Iowa to the conference title. Johnson, a 5-11 guard, was the MVC Defensive Player of the Year and an All-MVC First Team selection at Bradley. Manning, a 6-7 forward, brings size and physicality from Kansas State. Prather, a 6-5 guard, led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio at Robert Morris. Singleton, a 6-8 forward, was a productive freshman at Northwestern.
- The five transfers will join the Iowa State program this summer and be eligible to play in the 2026-27 season.
The players
Leon Bond III
A 6-5 guard who played the last two seasons at Northern Iowa after spending his first two seasons at Virginia. He was named to the Missouri Valley All-Defensive Team and the MVC All-Tournament Team.
Jaquan Johnson
A 5-11 guard who played the last two seasons at Bradley, where he was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Year, earned All-MVC First Team honors, and was on the MVC All-Defensive Team and MVC Most Improved Team.
Taj Manning
A 6-7 forward who played the last four seasons at Kansas State, where he appeared in 52 games and started 18.
Ryan Prather Jr.
A 6-5 guard who played the last two seasons at Robert Morris, where he earned Second Team All-Horizon League honors and led the country in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Tre Singleton
A 6-8 forward who played last season at Northwestern, where he averaged 7.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a freshman.
What they’re saying
“Leon Bond constantly puts pressure on the defense with his ability to get into the paint, make plays for himself and his teammates, and knockdown shots on the perimeter. We're excited for Leon defensively, as his length, instincts and competitive spirit will make him a menace on the defensive end of the floor.”
— T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Men's Basketball Coach
“An electric, downhill guard, Jaquan Johnson has the innate ability to bring speed and quickness to the game on both ends of the floor. His playmaking ability will allow us to get out in transition. Defensively, he provides outstanding ball pressure at the point of attack and has proven to be one of the highest steal rate players in the country.”
— T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Men's Basketball Coach
“Taj Manning's physicality will control the paint on both ends. Offensively, his ability to chase down rebounds and finish around the basket will punish teams inside. He also has the ability to attack closeouts and knockdown open shots. Taj has tremendous defensive versatility and can guard the basketball one-through-five.”
— T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Men's Basketball Coach
“A big guard, Ryan Prather has proven to be an excellent decision maker, evidence by leading the country in assist-to-turnover ratio. He's somebody that takes tremendous pride in taking care of the basketball, while also proving himself as a knock-down 3-point shooter. Defensively, he uses his size and length to disrupt opposing offenses, and we look forward to him impacting the glass.”
— T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Men's Basketball Coach
“Tre Singleton's advantage creating ability presents a mismatch for opposing defenses. He's a downhill playmaker that constantly puts pressure on the rim and will get us going in transition every time he grabs a rebound. Defensively, he takes great pride in being disruptive, getting stops, and finishing possessions.”
— T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Men's Basketball Coach
What’s next
The five transfers will join the Iowa State program this summer and be eligible to play in the 2026-27 season.
The takeaway
The addition of these five experienced transfers from quality programs across the Midwest should provide a significant boost to the Iowa State men's basketball roster. The Cyclones are clearly focused on building a deep, talented team capable of competing at the highest level in the Big 12 Conference and making a run at the NCAA Tournament.