IOWA CITY — Ben McCollum strung together a series of intricate dribbling moves as he set up a drive to the basket. McCollum’s mesmerizing handles proved that, even though his collegiate playing days are far behind him, he can still hoop. McCollum’s shifty sequence would’ve given him enough separation to finish at the rim against most defenders.
But not all.
Not if that defender was reigning Super Bowl champion Cooper DeJean.
McCollum shook DeJean enough to create a lane to the basket, but the NFL defensive back recovered and swatted the ball off the backboard.
It was a collision of worlds inside the Iowa basketball facility on June 18. Footage and photos of the basketball session went viral after being posted on social media.
DeJean, a former Iowa football star, faced off against McCollum, who is entering his first season as the Hawkeye men’s basketball coach. Both are Iowa natives — with DeJean hailing from Odebolt while McCollum was born in Iowa City and grew up in Storm Lake.
“Northwest Iowa boy,” the video showed McCollum saying to DeJean.
At one point in the video, DeJean drove to his right and threw down a one-handed slam. That DeJean’s athleticism translates to the hardwood is not surprising, given that he was a standout on the court in high school, among other sports.
After being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, DeJean’s career has risen to new heights. In the second quarter of Super Bowl LIX, DeJean intercepted a pass from Kansas City Chiefs megastar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and returned it for a touchdown, helping the Eagles to a victory and bringing a championship to Philadelphia.
But that didn’t stop McCollum from making his mark against DeJean. During one possession, DeJean was being too lackadaisical with the ball and McCollum swiped it away for a steal.
Among the photos posted from the gathering was DeJean alongside Iowa assistant basketball coach Josh Sash, who has personal connections to the Hawkeye football program. Sash is the brother of the late Tyler Sash, who was a standout defensive back for Iowa and went on to win Super Bowl XLVI with the New York Giants.
You can find the photo of DeJean and Sash, along with more content from the session, at the link below.
In the comment section on Instagram, DeJean posted about McCollum: “Coach can play”
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Super Bowl champ Cooper DeJean, Iowa basketball coach Ben McCollum square off on hardwood
Reporting by Tyler Tachman, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
