Joshua Jefferson is putting together the kind of season that turns heads-and not just in Ames. The senior forward has been a driving force behind Iowa State’s rise to national prominence, and on Tuesday night, he delivered another performance that etched his name into the college basketball history books.
In an 87-57 rout of UCF-no slouch themselves with 14 wins already-Jefferson was the engine, the spark, and everything in between. The 6-foot-9 senior turned in a stat line that would make even seasoned pros do a double take: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, four steals, and a block. That’s not just stuffing the stat sheet-it’s redefining what it means to dominate a game from all angles.
And here’s where it gets historic.
According to OptaSTATS, Jefferson became the first Division I player since Andre Iguodala in the 2003-04 season to record two games in a single season with at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and five or more combined steals and blocks-a rare statistical feat known as “stocks.” That’s over two decades since anyone’s pulled it off. Let that sink in.
Iguodala, of course, went on to carve out a long, decorated NBA career built on versatility and basketball IQ. While Jefferson’s game isn’t a carbon copy-he’s more of a frontcourt presence than a wing-there’s a similar thread of all-around impact. He’s not just scoring or rebounding; he’s facilitating, defending, and making the kind of winning plays that don’t always show up in the box score, even when the box score is already bursting at the seams.
What’s especially impressive is how Jefferson’s playmaking has evolved. At his size, it’s not every day you see a player who can initiate offense, thread passes through tight windows, and still anchor the defense on the other end. That blend of skill and feel for the game is what’s made him so essential to Iowa State’s success-and why the Cyclones have looked every bit like a contender for a deep March run.
Iowa State may have slipped a few spots from their peak at No. 2, but they’re still firmly planted in the top 15, and with Jefferson leading the charge, they’re not going anywhere. Nights like this are a reminder of just how dangerous this team can be when he’s clicking on all cylinders.
As for what comes next? The NBA talk can wait.
Right now, Jefferson and the Cyclones have their sights set on March. And if he keeps putting up performances like this, they won’t just be dancing-they’ll be a team nobody wants to see in the bracket.