Report: Iowa guard Tavion Banks arrested for alleged bar fight

On Monday, TMZ Sports reported Iowa guard Tavion Banks was arrested at 1:16 a.m. on Saturday after he was accused of being involved in an altercation at ReUnion Brewery, a brewery near Iowa’s campus. Banks transferred to Iowa from Drake this offseason, following head coach Ben McCollum.

Banks was reportedly charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct, fighting or violent behavior. Iowa athletics released a statement on Banks’ arrest.

“The UI Athletics Department and men’s basketball program are aware of Tavion Banks’ citation over the weekend,” the statement reads. “He is subject to established university protocol regarding the UI Student-Athlete Code of Conduct, and the rules and regulations set for members of the men’s basketball program.”

Further details on the alleged incident are currently unknown. Tavion Banks had a breakout season last year at Drake, averaging 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 52.0% from the field.

Banks only shot 22 3-pointers last season. He made two of them. It was his debut campaign for the Bulldogs. He’d transferred to Drake after spending two seasons at Northwest Florida State, a NCJAA program.

In his lone season at Drake, he was named the Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Man of the Year. He also selected to the All-MVC Tournament team after averaging 11.6 points and 7.0 rebounds over three games. Drake reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament before being eliminated by Texas Tech.

Drake’s run caught the attention of the athletics department at Iowa. The school was looking for a new coach after firing longtime head coach Fran McCaffery. In June, McCollum revealed what he would consider a successful Year 1 at the helm of the Hawkeyes.

“We want to generate some enthusiasm for Iowa basketball,” McCollum said. “We want to make sure that Iowa City embraces it. We want to make sure the University of Iowa embraces us… Just have them have a program that they’re very, very proud of with the kids we bring in and the effort that we play with is probably the main thing.

“… Obviously, ultimately, you want to win as many games as you can. So, how do you do that? You focus on your process of getting better and that’s what we’ll do throughout the summer and into the fall, and hopefully have a good season.”

On Nov. 4, Iowa will kick off its regular season with a showdown against Robert Morris at 7:30 p.m. CT. It’s unclear if Banks’ arrest will affect his status for the game.