Iowa basketball reveals Big Ten media days representatives
Story by
Iowa basketball reveals Big Ten media days representatives
Josh Helmer, Hawkeyes Wire·Hawkeyes Wire
·
2 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
After its first trip to the Elite Eight in 39 years, Iowa basketball is readying for the encore act under second-year head coach Ben McCollum.
McCollum and a pair of Hawkeyes will be making their way to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, Ill., on Thursday, Oct. 8 for 2026 Big Ten media days.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Third-year forward Cooper Koch and fourth-year guard Kael Combs will be accompanying McCollum to Big Ten media days.
Koch, a 6-foot-8, 228-pound forward, started all 37 games last season, averaging 7.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game on 43.7% field goal shooting and 40.2% 3-point marksmanship. The Peoria, Ill., native scored in double figures in 13 games last season, including against bothFloridaandNebraskain the NCAA Tournament.
Combs, a 6-foot-3, 204-pound guard, started 33 of Iowa's 37 games last season, scoring in double figures in six games and registering five games with five or more assists. The Nixa, Mo., product began his collegiate career at Wyoming before joining McCollum at Drake and now Iowa.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Combs scored 15 points on 5 of 7 shooting in Iowa's first-round NCAA Tournament win over Clemson. Then, he notched a career-high six assists in the Hawkeyes' Round of 32 victory over the Gators.
That duo helps comprise a group of returnees that also features Tate Sage, Cam Manyawu, Isaia Howard, and Trevin Jirak, Jacob Koch, Trey Thompson, Peyton McCollum, and Joey Matteoni. The Hawkeyes added transfers Ty'Reek Coleman and Andrew McKeever and signed Ethan Harris and Jaidyn Coon.
From left, Iowa's Cam Manyawu, Ty'Reek Coleman, and Peyton McCollum huddle during a summer basketball practice July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa's Jaidyn Coon attempts a dunk during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa guard Tate Sage dribbles the ball during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa center Andrew McKeever drives to the basket during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa guard Kael Combs drives to the basket during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa guard Tate Sage reacts during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa center Andrew McKeever talks to journalists after a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa forward Trey Thompson attempts a dunk during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa forward Cam Manyawu high-fives Jaidyn Coon during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa guard Tate Sage talks to journalists after a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa head coach Ben McCollum huddles with players during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa guard Ty'Reek Coleman dribbles as Peyton McCollum defends during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa guard Tate Sage dribbles the ball during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa forward Trey Thompson dribbles the ball during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa guard Jacob Koch attempts a dunk during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Iowa forward Joey Matteoni gathers the ball during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
1/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
From left, Iowa's Cam Manyawu, Ty'Reek Coleman, and Peyton McCollum huddle during a summer basketball practice July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
1/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
From left, Iowa's Cam Manyawu, Ty'Reek Coleman, and Peyton McCollum huddle during a summer basketball practice July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
2/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa's Jaidyn Coon attempts a dunk during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
3/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa guard Tate Sage dribbles the ball during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
4/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa center Andrew McKeever drives to the basket during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
5/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa guard Kael Combs drives to the basket during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
6/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa guard Tate Sage reacts during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
7/16
Iowa basketball center Andrew McKeever breaks down skill set
Iowa center Andrew McKeever talks to journalists after a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
8/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa forward Trey Thompson attempts a dunk during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
9/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa forward Cam Manyawu high-fives Jaidyn Coon during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
10/16
Iowa basketball's Tate Sage ready for larger role in 2026-27 season
Iowa guard Tate Sage talks to journalists after a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
11/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa head coach Ben McCollum huddles with players during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
12/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa guard Ty'Reek Coleman dribbles as Peyton McCollum defends during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
13/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa guard Tate Sage dribbles the ball during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
14/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa forward Trey Thompson dribbles the ball during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
15/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa guard Jacob Koch attempts a dunk during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
16/16
Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices
Iowa forward Joey Matteoni gathers the ball during a summer basketball practice on July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnHawks
