Iowa State isn’t rushing to join the roster shuffle that’s starting to reshape parts of college basketball.
While Texas Tech has been busy loading up for the 2026-27 season and other Big 12 programs have made recent additions, the Cyclones are taking a wait-and-see approach as the legal picture around extra eligibility continues to shift.
The wave of movement is being driven by court rulings in states including Ohio, Colorado, Tennessee, Georgia and California, with more lawsuits filed recently in Kentucky. Those decisions have opened doors for players whose college eligibility had expired, creating a path for some to return for a fifth season.
Texas Tech has already taken advantage. Last week, Darrion Williams rejoined the program after spending the 2025-26 season with North Carolina State and coach Will Wade.
On Monday, former Red Raider Donovan Atwell announced his commitment to Texas Tech, leaving an opportunity with the Chicago Bulls. UCF wing Jamichael Stillwell is also transferring to Texas Tech for the upcoming season.
That gives the Red Raiders a suddenly dangerous collection of shooters, including four players who shot at least 40% from 3-point range on at least 5.8 attempts per game last season. If former Big 12 player of the year J.T. Toppin returns healthy from a torn ACL in the middle of the season, Texas Tech would have the kind of upside that could put it in the hunt with Houston, Arizona, Iowa State, Kansas and BYU for the 2026-27 league title.
Iowa State, though, does not sound eager to follow that path.
"We don't," T.J. Otzelberger said on August 4 when asked if Iowa State would look to make an addition.
"I mean, we've looked at this thing. Like, if at some point a rule changes, then we'll evaluate it at that point.
But, at this point, it's a lot of varying opinions and that sort of thing."
Otzelberger has made it clear the Cyclones are not planning to force the issue unless the rules change. Iowa State wrapped up summer practices during the first week of August, and the coach appears comfortable with the roster he has now, even with guards Christian Wiggins, who is dealing with an Achilles tear, and Ryan Prather Jr., who has a hip injury.
"If at some point a rule is to change, then we'll evaluate it at that point," Otzelberger said. "But right now, from our vantage point, there isn't a lot to evaluate."
The NCAA, for its part, has not shown any appetite to adjust its position. As of late July, the governing body still said it had no intention of changing its approach despite the lawsuits.
"The board has no plans to modify their application, notwithstanding a series of lawsuits recently filed on behalf of student-athletes with no remaining eligibility," the NCAA said in a statement. "We look forward to ensuring that the age-based eligibility rules are enforced consistently so that all institutions play by the same rules, like all participants in sports."
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