Iowa Hawkeyes Basketball

Former Iowa State football player Nicholas Kron was arrested on a charge of assault causing bodily injury in connection to an attack on Iowa basketball star Jordan Bohannon, according to Grant Schulte of the Associated Press.

On May 24, the University of Iowa released a statement saying Bohannon had been "physically assaulted" and was being treated for a "serious head injury."

Schulte provided more context on the allegations: "After the bar closed, police said Kron and another person got into an argument outside. Police say Kron walked over to Bohannon, turned him around and punched him three times in the back of the head, knocking him to the ground and causing a cut on his head."

The assault is also the subject of a lawsuit filed by Bohannon, who says Kron "brutally, unlawfully and intentionally" struck him.

Iowa declined to make a statement on Kron's arrest, telling Schulte it wasn't a university-related matter.

Kron made 24 appearances for the Cyclones between 2012 and 2013. He left the program in December 2013 after his redshirt sophomore year.

Bohannon, meanwhile, is returning to Iowa for his sixth year with the Hawkeyes, taking advantage of the NCAA's decision to grant winter sports athletes an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 6'1" guard averaged 10.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 2020-21. He has already played in more games (143) than any Hawkeyes player ever, and he's the school's all-time assists leader (639).

Iowa star Luka Garza has officially measured in at 6'11¼" with shoes on at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine. 

Per NBA.com, Garza weighed in at 242.8 pounds with a standing reach of 8'11½". His hands measured in at 9" long and 9¼" wide. 

Garza's weight on Tuesday was significantly lower than what he played at for the Hawkeyes last season:

B/R's Jonathan Wasserman noted leading up to the combine that scouts were keeping an eye on Garza's weight loss because they did "question his defensive mobility and offensive quickness" at the next level. 

Garza has one of the most impressive resumes of any player in this year's class. The 22-year-old led the Hawkeyes to a 22-9 record and was the consensus National Player of the Year in 2020-21. 

Despite the many accolades Garza racked up at the college level, his NBA prospects are uncertain at this stage of the process. 

Sports Illustrated's Jeremy Woo wrote in March that the two-time All-American isn't highly regarded in draft circles because of his lack of quickness, particularly on the defensive end against more athletic big men. 

Woo specifically cited Iowa's 82-71 loss to Illinois in the Big Ten tournament when Illini center Kofi Cockburn scored 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds primarily matched up against Garza. 

Here's what one executive for a Western Conference team told Woo about Garza as a draft prospect:

“Even looking at it favorably, I don’t think he can go in the first round. But I do think he has to get drafted. There’s too much positivity around his motor, production and who he is as a human being. In the second round, you can’t say you’re not going to think about giving him a chance to find a role. But how many people [in the NBA] will you find who think he’s a first-rounder? Not many.”

Wasserman has Garza ranked as the No. 50 prospect in the 2021 class right now, though he did point out "there isn't a big difference between the late 40s and Nos. 50-70 range."

If Garza can put separation between himself and some of the other players in that range during the combine, it would certainly help his chances of getting drafted in the second round. 

Based on the work that Garza has clearly put in at the gym to get his weight down by 20 pounds since the end of the college season in March, he is at least showing the motivation to get better. 

Garza's college production over the past four seasons was significant. The Washington, D.C., native averaged 24.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in 31 starts as a senior. He also shot 44.0 percent from three-point range on 3.2 attempts per contest. 

Iowa guard Jordan Bohannon was involved in a physical altercation Sunday morning.

The school said in a statement that Bohannon "is recovering after receiving medical attention to treat a serious head injury."

Head coach Fran McCaffery added that those within the program "are grateful that friends who were with Jordan at the time kept the incident from escalating."

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA allowed winter sports athletes to have an extra year of eligibility. Bohannon confirmed in April he intends to spend a sixth season with the Hawkeyes.

The 6'1" guard averaged 10.6 points and 4.4 assists and shot 39.0 percent from the field in 2020-21. His and Iowa's campaign ended on a low note as the second-seeded Hawkeyes were upset by Oregon in the second round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Bohannon told the Des Moines Register's Chad Leistikow that part of the reason he chose to stay with the team was a commitment from McCaffery to utilize him more off the ball at 2-guard.

The Hawkeyes are counting on the Marion, Iowa, native to step up in 2021-22 with two-time Big Ten Player of the Year Luka Garza moving on. CJ Fredrick also transferred to Kentucky, creating a void in the backcourt.

Luka Garza was a Naismith Award winner, a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year and a two-time consensus All-American during his time at Iowa, but he is making history away from the court.

Garza will become the first college athlete to sell a non-fungible token (NFT) now that he is eligible to profit off his image and likeness following the Hawkeyes' loss to Oregon in the NCAA men's tournament and the end of his collegiate career, per Daniel Roberts of Decrypt.

"This is my first time doing anything to make money off my own name, so it's really kind of new waters for me," Garza told Decrypt. "I'm studying economics in college, and my dad was big in tech throughout his life, so I saw the opportunity to expand my brand."

The NFT, which went on sale at OpenSea at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, is a one-of-one virtual trading card featuring images of Garza playing for the Hawkeyes, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Children's Hospital at the University of Iowa. 

Whoever wins the auction will also receive autographed game-worn shoes from the Iowa big man, a private meditation session with him, a chance to show off his or her skills in a game of H.O.R.S.E. against Garza, a lifetime VIP pass to any basketball camp hosted by the Hawkeye and the opportunity to attend dinner and a movie with the 22-year-old.

There will also be the chance to say one was part of history by winning the first NFT sold by a college athlete.

Iowa star Luka Garza has capped his storied college career by earning the 2021 Naismith Men's Player of the Year award.

The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced the news Saturday. He beat out Oklahoma State's Cade Cunningham, Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu and Gonzaga's Corey Kispert to win the award. 

Garza issued a statement upon being named the winner:

"Winning an award in Naismith's name is an honor my family and I will always treasure. Naismith changed my life, and so many others, by creating the game that so many love. In 2015, when my dad and I watched Frank Kaminsky accept the Naismith Trophy in Indianapolis, I never thought I would be in this position six years later.

I am forever thankful to the University of Iowa, Coach [Fran] McCaffery, the rest of the coaching staff, my teammates, my family and the countless other people and coaches who have helped me along the way. This is not an individual honor but a team award, and I am so proud to be able to bring this award home to Iowa City. Thank you to the Atlanta Tipoff Club for this prestigious award and thank you to Naismith for changing my life and so many others with the game of basketball."

This is the second time in three years that the Hawkeyes have had a Naismith Player of the Year winner. Megan Gustafson won the women's award as a senior in 2018-19 to cap off her iconic career. 

Garza was a finalist for the Naismith Men's Player of the Year award last season but lost to Obi Toppin of Dayton. 

There was some doubt about whether Garza would be with Iowa this season. He declared for the 2020 NBA draft in April but decided not to hire an agent to retain his college eligibility. 

Garza announced in August that he was running it back with the Hawkeyes. The move paid off for him and the team. The 22-year-old post 24.1 points per game. He also shot a career-high 44 percent from three-point range, averaged 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest. 

Iowa went 22-9, spent most of the year ranked in the Top 10 of the Associated Press poll and earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA men's tournament. 

While the Hawkeyes' hopes for a title ended in the second round, Garza capped off his college career by scoring 36 points on 14-of-20 shooting in the 95-80 loss against Oregon. 

Iowa center Luka Garza has been named the Associated Press men's college basketball player of the year after garnering 50 of a possible 63 first-place votes.

Garza averaged 24.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for the Hawkeyes, who earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. The senior also shot 55.3 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from three-point range.

He also scored 30 or more points eight times, including 41 against Southern University. Per the Iowa men's hoops website, Garza was also No. 1 in player efficiency rating (35.84) and total points (711).

Four others received first-place votes: Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu (six), Oklahoma State point guard Cade Cunningham (three), Baylor guard Jared Butler (two) and Gonzaga forward Corey Kispert (two).

Garza spoke about the honor and noted how meditation helped his mental health and focus during the season, which was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic:

"You had to be in your house quarantined, going to the gym, going home. There's no distraction. If you play a bad game, that's all you're thinking about. So you need to be in a healthy mental space or you would just let it eat at you—especially a person like me who thinks as much as I do.

"I needed it to be a daily thing because I faced this anxiety every single day. It definitely became something that helped me out a lot and contributed to my being able to be there and be in the moment every single game and every single day."

Garza is also a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy, both given to the most outstanding women's and men's college basketball players.

Iowa men's basketball guard Jordan Bohannon said Tuesday he will return to the Hawkeyes next season if the bill that would allow collegiate athletes to profit on their name, image and likeness passes the state Senate.

"We have worked tremendously hard on Senate File 245, which would allow college athletes in Iowa to make money off their Name, Image and Likeness," Bohannon said in a statement. "The bill's deadline is this Thursday to be voted on or it will die. I am still undecided on what I will do next year. However, if this bill were to pass, I would come back to Iowa next year."

All college athletes who participated in the 2020-21 season were granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bohannon, a former Iowa Mr. Basketball, would be returning for his fifth year as a starter for the Hawkeyes.

While Bohannon is not considered an NBA prospect, his return would be a major boost to the Hawkeyes, who are set to lose National Player of the Year favorite Luka Garza. Bohannon averaged 10.6 points and 4.4 assists during the 2020-21 season while shooting 39.0 percent from three-point range.

Several states have begun considering or have passed NIL laws, which would allow college athletes to profit off their name, image or likeness for the first time. Iowa's proposal would go into effect July 1, the same day as Florida's already-passed law.

A federal NIL bill was introduced to Congress in February by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) and Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Massachusetts). While it's possible that bill passes and becomes law, making it unlawful to restrict athletes in any of the 50 states from making money off their name, image or likeness, no date has been set for when the bill may be passed.

Getting legislation passed at the state level would be the fastest way to ensure players are immediately able to be compensated. 

Luka Garza will forever be an Iowa legend, but his Hawkeyes career surely ended sooner than he hoped or expected when his team lost to the Oregon Ducks in Monday's second-round showdown of the 2021 NCAA men's tournament. 

"It's heartbreaking," he told reporters. "It's so surreal. It hit me all at once that this is the last time I'll put on this jersey."

The big man did what he could in the 95-80 loss with 36 points and nine rebounds. However, as has been the case for much of the season, Iowa's struggles on defense were too much to overcome.

Oregon had four players with at least 17 points, including Chris Duarte (23 points) and LJ Figueroa (21 points). The Ducks got to the rim, created a number of outside open looks and finished with 25 assists to 11 turnovers in the victory.

Iowa's defense is just 73rd in the country in KenPom.com's rankings, which stands in stark contrast to its No. 2 offense.

Garza finishes his collegiate career as an all-time great in the Big Ten and already had his jersey retired by the Hawkeyes. He won his second straight Big Ten Player of the Year this season and is a finalist for the Naismith Men's Player of the Year alongside Oklahoma State's Cade Cunningham, Illinois' Ayo Dosunmu and Gonzaga's Corey Kispert.

The Hawkeyes big man was a finalist for the award last season as well, although he lost to Dayton's Obi Toppin.

While Garza will likely need some time to get over the loss to the Ducks, he already cemented his legacy within the Hawkeyes program.

Part of Fran McCaffery's preparation for the NCAA tournament included signing a four-year contract extension with Iowa that will keep him with the team through the 2027-28 campaign, per the Associated Press. 

The Hawkeyes finished the season 21-8 and 14-6 in the Big Ten, good to finish third in the conference. They were knocked out of the Big Ten tournament in the semifinals by eventual champion Illinois, which drew a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, as did Michigan. 

The Hawkeyes, one of nine Big Ten teams to make the NCAA tournament, drew a No. 2 seed, their highest since 1987. 

Despite playing in a loaded conference, the Hawkeyes managed to maintain a Top 15 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll throughout the season, topping off at No. 5 last week as they enter their fifth tournament since 2014. 

This year's run was led by national player of the year candidate Luka Garza, who is the school's career scoring leader. 

McCaffery, who took a 15 percent pay cut for the 2020-21 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has a $2.3 million base salary for the next two seasons, a figure that is set to increase in the final five years of his contract, though the amount of the increases was not announced. 

The 61-year-old has coached at Iowa since the 2010-11 campaign and is the school's second-winningest coach of all time with a 215-151 record. That record includes seven 20-win seasons. 

Athletic director Gary Barta said the program originally was going to extend McCaffery's contract at the end of last year, but the decision was paused because of the pandemic, per the Associated Press. 

Iowa will begin its NCAA tournament run against Grand Canyon on Saturday.