Drake transfer forward Tavion Banks signs with Iowa

Drake transfer forward Tavion Banks has signed with Iowa, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned. He will reunite with Ben McCollum in Iowa City.

Banks was an important part of Drake’s success in McCollum’s lone season at the helm. He ranked third on the Bulldogs roster with 10.1 points per game while adding 5.0 rebounds and shooting 52% from the field. For his efforts, he was the Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Man of the Year.

Banks began his college career at the junior college level at Northwest Florida State, where he helped the Raiders to an NCJAA Division I tournament championship game appearance. He is the latest Drake player to follow McCollum to Iowa as he builds out the roster.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Tavion Banks is a Kansas City native, but played high school basketball at Saint Paul (Minn.) Minnesota Preparatory Academy. The 2025-26 season will be his final year of eligibility.

Since taking over for Fran McCaffery at Iowa, McCollum has brought in five of his Drake players from this past season’s team which made it to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament. That includes Bennett Stirtz, the Missouri Valley Player of the Year who became the No. 2 overall player and No. 1-ranked point guard to enter the transfer portal so far this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

One of the biggest additions, though, is a player Iowa already had. Cooper Koch initially announced his plans to transfer following the coaching change, but reversed course and will be back with the Hawkeyes next season. He only played in seven games this past season with an undisclosed medical issue after arriving as a four-star prospect.

Koch was also the No. 87 overall player from the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was one of a slew of Iowa players to hit the open market after McCaffery’s departure, but will now return to Iowa City under McCollum.

“After speaking with Coach McCollum, I believe his vision for the Men’s Basketball team is one that aligns with mine,” Koch wrote in his announcement. “With that being said, I have decided to withdraw my name from the transfer portal and stay HOME.”