The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball program just landed a massive piece for its future, both literally and figuratively. Saint Mary's transfer Andrew McKeever, a towering 7-foot-3, 285-pound center, has committed to play for head coach Ben McCollum, bringing a significant dose of size to a team that desperately needed it.
McKeever arrives in Iowa City with two seasons of eligibility remaining, fresh off a breakout redshirt sophomore campaign at Saint Mary's. In roughly 23 minutes per game, he averaged a solid 8.2 points and an impressive 9.2 rebounds, showcasing the kind of interior presence that can change a game. His development was clear; after limited action as a freshman, he earned 10 starts last season and posted monster performances, like a 10-point, 18-rebound, 6-assist outing against San Francisco.
For the Hawkeyes, this addition addresses a glaring need. Last season's undersized frontcourt often struggled on the glass, and McKeever is a prolific rebounder who can immediately shore up that weakness. He grabbed at least 10 rebounds in 12 games last year, and his per-40-minute rebounding rate of 15.7 highlights his relentless activity. His 3.8 offensive rebounds per game promise to create valuable second-chance points for Iowa's offense.
Beyond his rebounding, McKeever shows intriguing skills for a player of his stature. His 1.8 assists per game indicate a passing ability that can facilitate the offense, though cutting down on turnovers will be a point of emphasis. Furthermore, his sheer size will make him an invaluable screener in Iowa's ball-screen-heavy offensive sets, creating cleaner looks for his teammates.
McKeever joins Illinois State guard transfer Ty'Reek Coleman as the second commitment of Iowa's transfer portal cycle, signaling an active offseason for Coach McCollum as he builds his roster for year two. For Hawkeye fans, the arrival of a legitimate 7-foot-3 force in the paint is a reason for genuine excitement as the team looks to bolster its frontcourt and compete in a tough Big Ten conference.