Ty’Reek Coleman didn’t come into this offseason with much national buzz, but Iowa already looks like a place where his game can matter fast.
Ben McCollum didn’t land him as a splashy headline transfer. Still, the Iowa coach has been quick to point out what Coleman brings, calling him a “twitchy, efficient scorer” who can be a weapon in the pick-and-roll. That kind of praise has only grown since Iowa’s recent media open practice, where McCollum kept pushing the same message: Coleman has plenty to offer, and he’s getting better.
Coleman spent last season at Illinois State as a steady piece of the rotation, appearing in all 35 games and starting 19 of them. He averaged 10.0 points while shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three.
He also chipped in 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 22.7 minutes per game. Those are the kinds of numbers that don’t jump off the page at first glance, but they fit what Iowa seems to need from him now.
At practice, McCollum said Coleman has gotten “exponentially” better since arriving in Iowa City. The coach pointed to the physical tools already in place and said the next step is getting him more comfortable in the system. That matters because Iowa is looking for someone to help fill the lead-guard role next season, and Coleman is one of the players positioned to take on that responsibility.
The fit makes sense on both ends. Coleman showed flashes as a freshman, especially as a two-way player, and McCollum clearly values that kind of versatility.
He can guard multiple positions and pressure the ball at the point of attack, which gives Iowa another strong option in the style the Hawkeyes have used before to make up for limited size in the paint. Even with seven-foot-three Andrew McKeever now on the roster, McCollum is likely to keep setting the defensive tone that way.
Coleman is not just being asked to defend, though. If his offense keeps moving in the right direction, Iowa could end up with 4-5 shooters on the floor at the same time. That kind of spacing would make the Hawkeyes even harder to handle.
Iowa’s roster has plenty of wings and forwards, but it is thinner at lead guard. Isaia Howard and Kael Combs are back after filling secondary roles a year ago, yet Coleman is the one who most directly addresses that gap. And because of the NCAA’s new five-for-five eligibility rules, he could stick around for another five years.
For a team built around how McCollum wants to play, that makes Coleman a pretty important piece right away.
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