IOWA CITY — The Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball team significantly reshaped its roster in mid-April by signing three high-profile newcomers, adding exceptional size, proven scoring and one of the state’s top high school prospects as head coach Ben McCollum continued building the program for the 2026-27 season.
Over a three-day stretch in mid-April, Iowa announced the additions of Saint Mary’s transfer center Andrew McKeever, Illinois State transfer guard Ty’Reek Coleman and Storm Lake standout Jaidyn Coon, the reigning Iowa Mr. Basketball.
The towering McKeever headlines the additions. At 7-foot-3 and 285 pounds, the Livermore, California, native will become the tallest player in Iowa men’s basketball history, surpassing 7-foot-2 Antonio Ramos.
McKeever will also be Iowa’s first 7-footer since Adam Woodbury completed his Hawkeye career in 2016.
The Saint Mary’s transfer averaged 8.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists while appearing in 33 games during his redshirt sophomore season. He led the West Coast Conference in rebounding, collected 302 total boards and recorded eight double-doubles.
McKeever was particularly productive on the offensive glass, pulling down 125 offensive rebounds, or 3.8 per game. He also blocked 28 shots and recorded 18 steals.
McCollum said McKeever’s rebounding, passing and ability to operate as the screener in pick-and-roll situations make him an ideal fit for Iowa’s offense. McKeever will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
The Hawkeyes also strengthened their backcourt by signing Coleman, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard from Aurora, Illinois.
Coleman averaged 10 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists during his freshman season at Illinois State. He played in all 35 games, made 19 starts and helped the Redbirds finish 23-13 while advancing to the NIT championship game.
The guard shot 50.4 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from 3-point range. He reached double figures in 15 games and scored at least 20 points twice.
Coleman delivered one of his strongest performances in the NIT championship game, scoring 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting against Auburn. He was also rated among the nation’s most effective players when scoring out of ball-screen actions.
McCollum described Coleman as an explosive and efficient scorer who can attack the basket, create opportunities in the pick-and-roll and pressure opposing guards defensively.
Coleman will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
The third major addition brings a strong Northern Iowa connection to the Hawkeye roster.
Coon, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound guard and forward from Storm Lake, signed with Iowa after being named the 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball. He is a four-star prospect and was ranked as the No. 116 player nationally in the 2026 class by the 247Sports Composite.
Coon averaged 22 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals during his senior season. He guided Storm Lake to a 24-3 record, the Class 3A state tournament semifinals and the school’s first state tournament victory since 1980.
He finished his high school career as Storm Lake’s all-time leading scorer with 1,692 points, breaking a school record that had stood for 56 years. Coon also accumulated 733 rebounds, 225 assists, 132 steals and 112 blocked shots.
In the state semifinal against ADM, Coon produced 36 points and 18 rebounds.
McCollum praised Coon’s athletic ability and defensive versatility, saying the Northern Iowa standout can guard four positions. The coach also emphasized the importance of keeping elite Iowa players in their home state.
Coon is the second consecutive Iowa Mr. Basketball winner to join the Hawkeyes, following 2025 recipient Trevin Jirak.
The three signees join four-star freshman Ethan Harris, a 6-foot-9 guard from Camas, Washington, in Iowa’s incoming class.
Together, McKeever, Coleman and Coon give the Hawkeyes three distinct building blocks: a record-setting presence in the middle, an efficient young scorer in the backcourt and an athletic homegrown prospect capable of contributing at several positions. Iowa’s magical 2025-2026 season raced to the Elite 8, with a tough loss to Illinois.
Timely article! Too bad it is late by about four months.