In a tough blow for Iowa basketball, one of their top 2027 recruiting targets has chosen to take his talents to a bitter rival. Donovan Davis, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound forward from Freedom High School in Wisconsin, announced his commitment to the Iowa State Cyclones on Wednesday evening.

This decision stings for Hawkeye fans, as Davis is no ordinary recruit. According to Cyclone Fanatic, he ranks as the second-highest commit in Iowa State basketball history. Rivals rates him as the No. 31 player nationally, the No. 10 small forward, and the No. 3 prospect in Wisconsin. Davis picked the Cyclones over a final list that included Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Marquette.

Davis had a standout junior season, averaging 21.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting an impressive 70% from the field. The Hawkeyes had hosted him for an official visit on April 15 and originally extended an offer on June 22, 2025, but ultimately couldn't secure his commitment.

With Davis off the board, Iowa is still searching for its first pledge in the 2027 class. The Hawkeyes have already signed small forward Jaidyn Coon and forward Ethan Harris in the 2026 class, and added transfers Ty'Reek Coleman (guard) and Andrew McKeever (center) to bolster the roster. The recruiting battle for elite talent continues, and this one will sting for a while.