As the 2025-26 Iowa basketball season winds down, the Hawkeyes find themselves in a hopeful situation regarding senior forward Tavion Banks. Head coach Ben McCollum is optimistic that Banks might snag another year of eligibility, thanks to a precedent set by the Diego Pavia ruling. This decision granted Pavia and other former junior college transfers an extra year, recognizing that JUCO seasons at non-NCAA schools shouldn't count against the four seasons of NCAA eligibility.
Discussing the situation on Hawk Talk with Gary Dolphin, McCollum noted, "I think there's a lawsuit on a junior college one for football players, so that'll probably go through one way or another before the portal opens and stuff like that. There's always still a chance. You never know with the rules."
Banks' college journey began at Northwest Florida State, where he spent two seasons before playing for McCollum at Drake during the 2024-25 season, and then moving to Iowa for the current season. Standing at 6-foot-7, Banks has been a key player for the Hawkeyes, delivering an impressive 10.7 points per game. His shooting stats are nothing short of stellar, with a 51.7% field goal percentage, 45.2% from beyond the arc, and an 80.8% success rate at the free throw line.
The possibility of extending eligibility to former JUCO athletes for the 2026-27 season is still up in the air, with a decision pending. This could be a game-changer for Banks and others in similar situations.