Iowa State’s offseason has already been full of turnover, and now the Cyclones have another box checked on the injury front.
During his media availability, T.J. Otzelberger said sophomore guard Killyan Toure had been dealing with a shoulder issue that showed up at times during his freshman year. The problem got worse a few months ago, when Toure experienced some irritation and aggravation, but Otzelberger said he’s encouraged by the progress since then.
The good news for Iowa State is that Toure is already back in practice, and Otzelberger doesn’t view the shoulder as something that should linger into the season.
If the Cyclones were playing a game right now, Otzelberger said everyone would be available except the two incoming freshmen, Yusef Gray Jr. and Christian Wiggins, who are rehabbing from injuries.
That matters because Toure is expected to take on a much larger role in 2026-27. With Tamin Lipsey gone after exhausting his eligibility, Toure is the player Iowa State will lean on to set the tone as the point-of-attack defender. Lipsey has been the team’s floor general for the last four years, and he spoke highly of Toure throughout the 2025-26 season, believing the freshman was ready to eventually step into that spot.
Now that opportunity is here.
Toure is coming off a strong first season in Ames, one that saw him average 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals in 25.3 minutes per game while filling a complementary role. For Iowa State, the hope is simple: the shoulder is no longer an issue, and one of its most important returning pieces is ready for a bigger stage.
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