Iowa State University is a Division I school in the Big 12 Conference, and its basketball team is one of the most successful in the country. The Cyclones have won three regular season conference titles, two Big 12 tournament titles, and have made it to the NCAA tournament six times since 2000. With a history of success and an impressive roster of players from across the country, Iowa State basketball has become a force to be reckoned with.
Brief History of Iowa State Basketball
The Iowa State basketball program began in 1908, making it the oldest program in the Big 12. Over the years, the team has built a reputation for success and has had some of the greatest players in the game. The most notable players include Fred Hoiberg, Jamaal Tinsley, and Marcus Fizer, who all went on to play in the NBA. Other notable alumni include Hal MacRae, who played in the NBA, and former Iowa State head coach Johnny Orr, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Success of the Iowa State Basketball Program
The Iowa State basketball program has had a long history of success. The team has won three regular season titles, including two Big 12 tournament titles, and has made it to the NCAA tournament six times since 2000. The team has also been ranked in the top 25 of the AP poll for 18 of the last 22 seasons.
The Cyclones have seen some of their greatest success under current head coach Steve Prohm, who took over the program in 2015. Prohm led the team to a Big 12 regular season title in 2017 and a Big 12 tournament title in 2019. The team also made it to the Sweet Sixteen in 2019, the furthest the program had advanced in the tournament since 2000.
Notable Players From Iowa State
The Iowa State basketball program has produced some of the greatest players in the game. Notable alumni include Fred Hoiberg, Jamaal Tinsley, and Marcus Fizer, all of whom went on to play in the NBA. Other former Cyclones who have made it to the NBA include Craig Brackins, Royce White, and Georges Niang.
The program has also produced a number of international players, including Deonte Burton, Abdel Nader, and Monte Morris. Burton, who was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018, is currently playing with the Atlanta Hawks. Nader, who was drafted in 2016, is currently playing with the Phoenix Suns. Morris, who was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2017, is currently playing with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Cyclones have also seen success in the WNBA, with players such as Anna Prins and Nikki Moody playing in the league. Prins was drafted in 2015 and is currently playing with the Los Angeles Sparks, while Moody was drafted in 2016 and is currently playing with the Minnesota Lynx.
Conclusion
The Iowa State basketball program has long been a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12 Conference. With a long history of success and an impressive roster of players from across the country, the Cyclones have established themselves as one of the top programs in the nation. From Fred Hoiberg to Abdel Nader, the program has produced some of the greatest players in the game and is sure to continue its success for years to come.