Who will step up as leaders for Iowa State basketball now that Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey have graduated? Who can the Cyclones lean on for a basket in crunch time with those two gone and Milan Momcilovic testing the NBA waters?
Those are several questions that will start to be answered when T.J. Otzelberger and his players officially begin summer workouts ahead of the 2026-27 season. The solutions may be even more clear once the regular season tips off on Nov. 2.
Until then, the Cyclones are looking forward to reporting to campus on June 13. They’ll start their eight-week summer training program on June 15.
Iowa State is coming off a 29-8 campaign, where it reached its third Sweet 16 in five years.
There will be plenty of new faces for the Cyclones. Iowa State is set to welcome three incoming freshmen and five transfer additions. There are also two new assistant coaches on staff, Tim Buckley and Allan Hanson.
The Cyclones have five scholarship players returning, and they’ll play a key role in getting their new teammates acclimated to Ames and welcomed to the program this summer.
Killyan Toure and Blake Buchanan were both starters last season. Dominykas Pleta and Jamarion Batemon were key players off the bench, while Xzavion Mitchell aims to take a step forward after a medical redshirt season.
Otzelberger shared his thoughts on how those returners can improve for next season.
Jamarion Batemon
Last season’s stats: Averaged 6.6 points, 1.2 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 0.6 steals over 37 games … Shot 38.8% overall, 37.0% from deep and 78.8% from the free-throw line
Otzelberger on Batemon: “Jamarion brings unbelievable work habits to the table, somebody that’s an everyday guy, very competitive winner in all aspects. I think he had a very productive freshman year in terms of his ability to defend, make some timely shots, make some plays for us, but he’s got tremendous upside.”
Otzelberger on vision for Batemon in 2026-27: “Look forward to him to taking a big step, he’s really working on his ball-handling as well as defensively, I think he can have an even bigger impact and then on the glass as well. … It’s something he’s put a lot of time into and we’re seeing he is continuing to grow in those areas. To me, the rebounding piece for everybody, when you’re aggressive on the glass and finishing plays, that leads to that aggressiveness offensively as well, so want to continue to see him be that aggressive player.”
Blake Buchanan
Last season’s stats: Averaged 8.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks over 37 games … Shot 63.6% overall and 49.4% from the free-throw line
Otzelberger on Buchanan: “I love everything he does every single day. He’s a tireless worker, he’s an everyday guy that wants to do everything he can for the team to win. We saw from him defensively, elite pick-and-roll defender, elite defender on the perimeter, just a guy that really makes your defense go because of all the activity and communication that he puts forth. And offensively, a great decision-maker and passer.”
Otzelberger on vision for Buchanan in 2026-27: “He’s someone who’s really developed his floater. I think that floater is tremendous and something we’re going to continue to count on more. Blake’s someone we can trust, a high field-goal percentage guy, a guy that takes tremendous pride. As time moves forward, him continuing to work, extend his range, shoot the ball from the perimeter — that will also be something we look at. I can’t say enough good things about Blake, the year he had was terrific and he’s going to continue to climb and elevate himself.”
Xzavion Mitchell
Last season’s stats: Medical redshirt last season after appearing in seven games, averaging 3.1 minutes and 1.0 points per game
Otzelberger on Mitchell: “Xzavion, from start to finish the season, was the most improved player in our program. Somebody that got better every day. I think his habits improved every day, I think the consistency of those habits improved. He’s a terrific offensive player, shoots the ball well, makes plays, really a matchup nightmare. Defensively, he’s learning every day, multiple efforts, how hard he needs to play on that end, but there’s not a guy that improved more from his arrival on campus.”
Otzelberger on vision for Mitchell in 2026-27: “He’s added 25 pounds of muscle this year and his body looks great. That’s a tribute to his work ethic, time he put in, Pete Link our strength coach. They work together, but I’m really excited for Xzavion, he has a bright future in program. A lot of times, when it doesn’t come to the guys right away, they tend to want to leave or explore other opportunities, and he’s all-in as a Cyclone. As all-in as he could be, so it’s great to see his continued growth and progress and I think he’s going to elevate himself for additional opportunities as we move forward.”
Dominykas Pleta
Last season’s stats: Averaged 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 rebounds, 0.3 steals and 0.2 blocks over 35 games … Shot 70.6% overall and 59.6% at the free-throw line
Otzelberger on Pleta: “It just says so much about him, his character and his skill set, to be able to integrate in our program, coming in from another country. The speed, the style, how the game’s officiated are all things that were different for him at first and then you could see him gradually making those adjustments through the course of the season.”
Otzelberger on vision for Pleta in 2026-27: “Dom is somebody that’s a great finisher, he’s got great hands. He can put the ball on the floor and make plays, rebound in traffic. Defensively, his instincts have continued to improve and so he’s got tremendous upside. He’s got a great future in our program and well beyond. Really excited to see what year two holds for Pleta.”
Killyan Toure
Last season’s stats: Averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.2 blocks over 37 games … Shot 46.0% overall, 31.3% from 3-point range and 72.2% at the free-throw line
Otzelberger on Toure: “Killyan had a tremendous freshman year. The impact he had especially in the Vegas tournament, with Tamin (Lipsey)’s absence, against Syracuse and Creighton was phenomenal. He showed that he could step up on the big stage right away and then that continued throughout the course of the season.”
Otzelberger on vision for Toure in 2026-27: “For Killyan to take the next step, he’s someone that puts a lot of time into shooting the basketball and wants to continue to improve in that area. We have tremendous confidence in his ability to do that, we have confidence in his ability to knock down those shots and knock down big shots. We saw at the end of the season, he reclaimed that confidence and was playing with great energy. He’ll have an elevated opportunity with the basketball with Joshua (Jefferson) and Tamin gone, so it’s more playmaking opportunities but it’s also that 3-point shooting consistency that he’s worked so hard every day to earn.”
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How Iowa State basketball returners can improve for 2026-27 season
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
