He was injury redshirted last season and everyone figured he was going to be a deep bench piece for Iowa, but Peyton McCollum, #5, just jumped off the bench in a scrimmage and honestly, he looked pretty darn good. As in, “first of two subs off the bench alongside Ty’reek Coleman” good. As in, “maybe one of the strongest shooters on the team with a lightning-quick release” good.
The “Deep Bench Piece” Who Might Be More
Let’s be real, the whispers around Peyton McCollum have always been about his last name. He’s the son of head coach Ben McCollum, and fair or not, his time at Iowa was always going to be measured against previous instances of black-and-gold nepotism, like the McCafferys or Brian Ferentz. He certainly didn’t come in with the recruiting accolades of a McCaffery, making those “deep bench piece” expectations feel even more locked in.
But then he steps onto the court, just days before the college basketball season officially kicks off, and flashes that quick release? It definitely perked up some ears. This isn’t some walk-on who just got a few minutes. We’re talking about a guy who scored over 1000 points in Maryville and, in his senior season for Waukee Northwest, put up 13 points and 5 assists a game on a team that made it to the state final, eventually falling to Trevin Jirak’s Valley squad. The talent’s there, even if the “son of the coach” narrative has overshadowed it. Perhaps coach Ben McCollum was just giving his son a rare chance to see the court, but if we see more of Peyton, it’s gotta be because he’s earned it and met his dad’s high standards.
What’s Next for McCollum’s Hawkeyes Legacy
The path for a coach’s son to make an impact without being the team’s absolute best player is well-trodden. Connor and Patrick McCaffery certainly had their moments, and Sam Hoiberg at Nebraska has been a prime example in recent years, proving that constant hustle and heady play can make a massive difference. That’s the key for Peyton if he wants to consistently see the floor.
With only five days until college basketball season officially tips off, all eyes will be on how Peyton McCollum’s role evolves. Can he shake off the nepotism tag and become a crucial contributor with that quick shot? It’s going to be fascinating to watch, and frankly, I’m already looking forward to seeing him prove the doubters wrong.
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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