Tavion Banks, the dynamic 6-7, 215-pound wing who absolutely lit it up for the Iowa Hawkeyes, just landed an extra year of college eligibility. Thanks to the state of Colorado’s injunction against the NCAA, this dude gets another season, and you know that news immediately changed the game for a ton of programs looking for a veteran impact player. Banks isn’t messing around either; he told 247 Sports his final four choices for his last college basketball campaign are the Gonzaga Bulldogs, LSU Tigers, Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Oklahoma Sooners. Noticeably absent? A return to Iowa City, Iowa, is completely off the table. This is about to get wild, folks.
Banks’ Game Is No Joke, And Teams Are Noticing
Let’s talk about what Banks brings to the court, because this isn’t just some random transfer. Last season for Iowa, he put up some serious numbers in 37 games, starting 35 of them. We’re talking 10.2 points per game, which is solid, but look closer at that efficiency: a ridiculous 52.0% from the field. That’s incredible for a wing! And don’t even get me started on his three-point shooting, clocking in at an insane 44.2%. On top of that, he hit 79.2% from the free throw line, showing he’s clutch. Add in 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest, and you’ve got a guy who impacts the game on both ends of the floor. He’s not new to the grind either; he started his career at the junior college level with Northwest Florida State College for two seasons. Then he moved to the Drake Bulldogs in 2024-25 under Coach Ben McCollum, and then followed McCollum to Iowa in 2025-26. This isn’t his first rodeo, he knows how to adapt, and he knows how to produce.
Gonzaga’s Roster Puzzle Just Got Even Crazier
Now, let’s zoom in on Gonzaga because this is where it gets super interesting, and maybe a little tense for Zags fans. Right now, the Bulldogs have just one single roster spot available. Think about that for a second. *One spot*. And Tavion Banks is a potential candidate for it. But wait, there’s more. Gonzaga isn’t just sitting around. They are also waiting on the NCAA to approve a couple of other key players: 6-3 point guard Nathan De Sousa from France’s Cholet Basket and 6-10 power forward/center Izan Almansa from Spain’s Real Madrid. If those approvals come through, and Banks chooses Gonzaga, what happens then? Do they have to make some tough choices? Or is there an unspoken assumption about who gets priority for that last slot? It’s a high-stakes chess match for sure, and every move counts.
This whole situation makes Banks’ decision absolutely massive, not just for him, but for whichever program gets to add his veteran presence and insane shooting percentages. For Gonzaga, it’s a serious balancing act. They’ve got one spot, they’re waiting on NCAA rulings for two other international talents, and now this proven scorer is in the mix. The stakes could not be higher for how their final roster comes together. You know we’ll be glued to every update, waiting to see where this dynamic talent ends up for his final, game-changing college season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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