Tavion Banks Signs With Hawkeyes

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Drake transfer Tavion Banks has signed a scholarship agreement with the University of Iowa men’s basketball team, it was announced Friday by head coach Ben McCollum.

The guard/forward, who has one year of eligibility remaining, is the fifth player from Drake to officially sign with the Hawkeyes, joining Bennett Stirtz, Kael Combs, Cam Manyawu and Isaia Howard. 

All five played under McCollum during the 2024-25 season, helping the Bulldogs to a 31-win season, a Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament title and to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Tavion Banks
6-7, 200, Sr., G/F
Kansas City, Mo.
Minnesota Prep
Drake
Northwest Florida State

• Named MVC Sixth Man of Year, while also being named team captain for MVC All-Bench team… appeared in 34 games with one start
• Averaged 10.1 points and five rebounds, while shooting 52 percent from the field… made 70.5 percent of free throw attempts (110-of-156)… ranked second on team in rebounding and third in scoring
• Reached double figured in 20 games… had eight games with 15+ points and one 20-point contest
• Finished season with three double-doubles… had five or more rebounds in 17 games and 9+ rebounds in six contests
• Shot at least 60 percent from the field in 16 games
• Selected to the All-MVC Tournament team after averaging 11.6 points and seven rebounds in three games, while shooting 55.5 percent
• Scored 13 points and had a game-high nine rebounds in championship game win over Bradley… posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in opening round vs. Southern Illinois
• Finished with career-high 21 points going 7-of-9 from the field with a career-high four steals at Southern Illinois… had a game-high 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting and had seven rebounds in win at Bradley
• Had first career double-double vs. Evansville, finishing with 11 points and 13 rebounds
• Transfer from Northwest Florida State where he averaged 10.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in 32 starts
• Led Raiders to quarterfinal round of 2024 NCJAA Division I Basketball Championship
• Averaged 9.3 points and 6.7 rebounds as freshman in 2022-23 as Raiders posted a 29-8 record, falling in championship game of NCJAA Division 1 Tournament
• Helped team to Panhandle Conference title and Region 8 crown
• Played at Minnesota Preparatory Academy