Iowa Basketball: Hawkeyes Search for a Center in the Transfer Portal

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum looks on in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images *Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Iowa fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.*

We’ve fully entered what used to be viewed as the offseason, a time when things got really slow, news was almost non-existent and if there was anything to focus on, it was Hawkeye football. The good ol’ days, as they were, are gone. Now, we’re in a world where there is no offseason. Basketball never sleeps. And in the words of Michael Douglas, money never sleeps. From the moment the NCAA Tournament ended, full attention for every coach in America turned to the transfer portal. The same is true for a good portion of college basketball fans around the country. For the Hawkeyes, there are two clear positions of need, as pointed out by BoilerHawk last week: center and point guard. Iowa is obviously losing its anchor in PG Bennett Stirtz who played virtually every available minute this season, leaving a massive void at the point. And Ben McCollum wasted no time calling out Iowa’s lack of size in the middle during his postgame comments after the loss to Illinois. But which one is a bigger need? That was our Reacts question last week. Here are the results.

So Who Are the Targets?

As BoilerHawk outlined in his rotation breakdown, the portal window (for entries) is open through April 21 and Iowa is on the hunt. Let’s break down the names that have been floating around Iowa City, starting with the two big men the fanbase is clamoring for.

The Centers: Addressing the 81%

Andrew McKeever — Saint Mary’s — 7-2, 285 lbs — Sophomore

McKeever is the dream target — and the interest is mutual. Iowa hosted McKeever on an official visit this past Sunday, giving the 7-foot-3 center a firsthand look at what McCollum is building in Iowa City. He — and the interest is mutual. Iowa hosted McKeever on an official visit this past Sunday, giving the 7-foot-3 center a firsthand look at what McCollum is building in Iowa City. He, and it’s not hard to see why. The 7-foot-2, 285-pound center led the WCC in rebounding this season, averaging **9.2 rebounds per game** to go with 8.2 points in just 23.2 minutes per night for a Saint Mary’s squad that earned an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. He started only 10 games and came off the bench in 23 — meaning his production came in limited minutes, which suggests a much higher ceiling with a full-time starting role. McKeever is exactly the kind of player Iowa lacked against Illinois. He’s a legitimate rim protector, a dominant rebounder, and a physical presence that changes how opponents attack the paint. At 7-2, he would be the biggest player on Iowa’s roster by a significant margin and the kind of “true five” McCollum specifically asked for. The Livermore, California native committed to Saint Mary’s as an unranked prospect out of high school, so there’s a development story here too — a late bloomer who is just scratching the surface of his potential. The competition for McKeever will be fierce. Multiple Power Four programs are circling, including Arizona State, UCLA, and others. Iowa’s Elite Eight run and McCollum’s track record of player development are strong selling points, but this is a national-level recruitment.

Saint Mary’s transfer Andrew McKeever will begin an official visit to Iowa today, sources tell @247Sports.

7-foot-3 four-star transfer that averaged 8.2 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 1.8 APG this season. pic.twitter.com/lOlb69OUao

— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham\_) April 12, 2026

Sananda Fru — Louisville — 6-11, 250 lbs — Junior

Fru is the other name generating significant buzz in Iowa circles. The Berlin, Germany native started 29 of 35 games for Louisville this season, averaging **9.0 points and 6.1 rebounds** in 22 minutes per game. What jumps off the stat sheet is his efficiency: Fru shot an absurd **75.3% from the field** on 127-of-167 attempts, making him one of the most efficient finishers in the ACC.

NEWS: Louisville big man Sananda Fru will enter the transfer portal, per multiple reports.

The 6-11 junior spent four seasons with Loewen Braunschweig in Germany before arriving at Louisville. He averaged 9.0 ppg and 6.1 rpg this season while shooting 75.3% from the field. pic.twitter.com/hWqHeqHJKq

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 30, 2026 At 6-11, Fru is slightly undersized compared to McKeever, but he brings a different skill set — he’s more of a face-up four who can operate in the pick-and-roll and finish around the rim with touch. His free throw shooting (61.1%) is a concern, but in McCollum’s system, Fru’s ability to catch lobs, finish in traffic, and rebound at a high level would make him an immediate contributor. View Link Iowa and Indiana are among the programs pursuing Fru, and the pitch is straightforward: come be the starting five for an Elite Eight team with a coach who just proved he can develop players into March Madness heroes.

Blake Barkley — East Tennessee State — 6-8, 230 lbs — Junior

Barkley is a different profile than McKeever and Fru — more of a versatile power forward than a traditional center — but his production demands attention. He averaged **14.6 points and 5.8 rebounds** while shooting a sizzling **58.9% from the field** for a SoCon regular season champion. Originally from Northwestern, Barkley transferred to ETSU last year and immediately became their best player. Iowa, Auburn, USC, and Kansas State have all been in contact.

ETSU transfer Blake Barkley (@BlakeBarkley3) has heard from the following programs, he tells TPR:

VCU Auburn George Mason Virginia Tech Iowa USC Charlotte GCU Kansas State St Mary’s Tulane Tulsa Loyola Chicago USF pic.twitter.com/be0EmDomKO

— The Portal Report (@ThePortalReport) April 8, 2026

The Guards & Forwards: Addressing the Other 19%

While center dominates the conversation, Iowa is also working the guard market. Three names to know: **Ace Glass — Washington State — 6-3, 185 lbs — Freshman.** Glass was Washington State’s leading scorer at **16.4 points per game** as a true freshman, earning Second Team All-WCC and All-Freshman honors. He’s a former four-star recruit (originally committed to Texas A&M before Buzz Williams left) who shot 45.5% from the field and 36.4% from three. He has three years of eligibility remaining. Aaron Torres called him a future “high major STAR.” The kind of dynamic scorer who could slot in next to Combs and immediately replace a chunk of Stirtz’s offensive production.

NEWS: Washington State guard Ace Glass is entering the transfer portal, he told @LeagueRDY.

Glass is a former four-star recruit who played just one season at Washington State. Was named Second Team All-WCC this season.

He averaged 16.4PPG, 3.0RPG and 2.3APG this season. Shot… pic.twitter.com/Msx9QQ8iov

— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) April 3, 2026

Tylen Riley — Tulsa — 6-3, 185 lbs — Junior

Riley was a Second Team All-AAC selection after averaging **15.0 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds** while shooting 39% from deep and 87% from the free throw line. He was the engine behind Tulsa’s run to the NIT Championship game, scoring 20 points in the title game against Auburn and going on a personal 8-0 run in the semifinal to put away New Mexico. Originally from Cal Baptist, Riley brings two years of eligibility and the kind of lead guard experience Iowa needs alongside Combs. Auburn is also pursuing him heavily after he torched them in the NIT title game. View Link

Drew Scharnowski — Belmont — 6-9, 230 lbs — Redshirt Junior

Scharnowski is an interesting hybrid — a 6-9 forward who could help address the frontcourt need while also providing offensive versatility. He was a **First Team All-MVC and All-MVC Defensive Team** selection after averaging **10.7 points and 6.0 rebounds** while shooting 69% on two-pointers (32nd nationally). He also led Belmont with 39 blocked shots. The Camp Point, Illinois native was at Northwestern before transferring to Belmont, so he has Big Ten experience and knows what it takes to compete at this level. Kansas State’s new coach Casey Alexander (formerly at Belmont) is also pursuing him, but Iowa’s pitch — an Elite Eight program with an immediate need for his exact skill set — is compelling.

Belmont has one of the best longterm NBA Draft prospects in 6’9 Sophomore Big Drew Scharnowski.

For the season Scharnowski is averaging 11/6/3 along with 1.3 BPG in only 22 MPG. Scharnowski is also shooting 68% from the field.

Scharnowski is one of the best defensive and… pic.twitter.com/t7cBPNHCm4

— KJ (@KJScouting) March 5, 2026

The Bottom Line

The fans are right. Center is the priority, and it’s not close. McKeever and Fru represent two different paths to solving Iowa’s interior problem — McKeever is the traditional rim-protecting seven-footer, Fru is the efficient finisher who can operate in the pick-and-roll. Either one would be a massive addition. Both could be a season-changer for the Hawkeyes in 2026-2027. The portal window closes April 21. McCollum proved in year one he knows how to construct his roster. He built an Elite Eight team in Year 1 with pieces that other programs overlooked, largely from low-majors and D2. Now he’s working the portal with a resume that speaks for itself. Buckle up, this should be a fun ride. **Check out SB Nation Reacts for more polls and results from across the NCAA**and stop by FanDuel for all your sports betting needs.**