Iowa basketball fans have a major reason to be excited for the future. The Hawkeyes are bringing back a significant core of their 2026 Elite Eight team, with ten players set to return for the 2026-27 season, the program announced on April 18th.
This level of roster retention is a huge win in the modern era of college basketball, where the transfer portal often leads to major roster turnover. It signals strong program culture and provides crucial continuity for building on last season's deep tournament run.
The returning group is headlined by key contributors from last year's successful campaign. Starters Cam Manyawu and Cooper Koch, who were fixtures in the lineup, are back. Kael Combs, who started the final 33 games, also returns to solidify the backcourt.
The depth is equally impressive. Isaia Howard was a reliable part of the regular rotation, while freshman Tate Sage emerged as a vital spark off the bench. The roster also holds exciting potential in players like Trevin Jirak, the 2025 Iowa Mr. Basketball, and former four-star recruit Trey Thompson, who redshirted last season.
Perhaps most promising for the long-term health of the program is the young nucleus of players with multiple seasons of eligibility left, including Thompson, Sage, Koch, and Jirak. This foundation gives Iowa a stable base to develop talent and compete in the Big Ten for years to come.
While the core remains intact, the Hawkeyes will see some departures. Bennett Stirtz and Brendan Hausen have exhausted their eligibility, and Alvaro Folgueiras has entered the transfer portal.
One situation remains in flux: standout Tavion Banks. Banks has declared for the NBA Draft and entered the portal but has also expressed a strong desire to return to Iowa City if a fifth year of college eligibility becomes an option. His potential return would be a massive boost for the Hawkeyes' aspirations next season.
With a strong returning core and a culture that keeps players committed, the Iowa Hawkeyes are clearly building something special. The 2026-27 season is shaping up to be another exciting chapter in Iowa City.