Iowa basketball transfer portal target commits to fellow Big Ten foe
Iowa basketball transfer portal target commits to fellow Big Ten foe
One of the transfer portal targets that Ben McCollum and Iowa basketball had been tied to announced his commitment to a fellow Big Ten program this past Thursday.
High Point transfer Kezza Giffa visited Iowa at the end of April. But, a commitment to the Hawkeyes never materialized following that visit.
After a lengthy transfer portal recruitment, the former High Point guard announced his commitment to USC and to head coach Eric Musselman on Thursday afternoon.
Giffa averaged 14.6 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game on 44.0% field goal shooting, 31.3% from 3-point range and 85.1% from the free throw line. The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 16.2 points per game during the 2023-24 season with High Point and was a first-team All-Big South selection in each of the past two seasons.
Giffa joins a group of nine USC transfers that also features former Auburn small forward Chad Baker-Mazara. Musselman and USC are also bringing in UNC Asheville point guard Jordan Marsh, Maryland guard Rodney Rice, Robert Morris guard Amarion Dickerson, Utah forward Ezra Ausar, Samford forward Jaden Brownell, Virginia forward Jacob Cofie and Youngstown State center Gabe Dynes.
The Trojans finished 17-18 (7-13 Big Ten) in Musselman's first season at the helm.
Iowa did add guard Peyton McCollum to its 2025 class on Friday. But, the Hawkeyes also lost a commitment from former Florida International guard Ashton Williamson on Thursday.
McCollum joins center Trevin Jirak and guard Tate Sage as part of Iowa's 2025 recruiting class.
Iowa has also landed eight transfer portal additions. The Hawkeyes are bringing in Drake transfers Bennett Stirtz, Kael Combs, Cam Manyawu, Isaia Howard, Tavion Banks and Joey Matteoni, Kansas State transfer Brendan Hausen and Robert Morris transfer Alvaro Folgueiras.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Josh on X: @JoshOnREF
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