Iowa State’s run of NBA draft relevance may not be over yet.
After Joshua Jefferson ended the Cyclones’ five-year drought without a player selected by going in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, Iowa State now has another name showing up on the radar. This time, it’s forward Tre Singleton, who landed at No. 83 on Jeremy Woo’s updated 2027 NBA Draft Big Board for ESPN.
Singleton arrives in Ames as one of the newcomers, joining Iowa State after transferring from Northwestern. He’s a true sophomore, and while he’s still very much on the edge of the NBA conversation, that’s not a bad place to start. Jefferson wasn’t seen as much of a pro prospect at this stage last year either, and his senior season changed that in a big way.
That’s part of what makes Singleton interesting. He drew comparisons to Jefferson in the transfer portal before deciding to follow the same path to Iowa State, and his first game in a Cyclones uniform gave a glimpse of why. In 28 minutes, Singleton posted 11 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block.
That line looks a lot like the kind of all-around production Jefferson brought to the table, and there’s reason to think Singleton’s numbers could climb as he settles deeper into T.J. Otzelberger’s system. The early signs point to a player who can affect the game on both ends.
For Iowa State, that matters beyond draft boards. If Singleton keeps rising, it likely means he’s doing his part to help the Cyclones win. He still has plenty to prove before anyone calls him a true NBA prospect, but the raw tools and work ethic are there.
And after watching Jefferson become the vocal point of the Iowa State game plan on offense, the door is open for Singleton to carve out something similar. His confidence with the ball is already growing, and he’s making an impact in ways that go beyond scoring.
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