Northern Iowa basketball coach Ben Jacobson says it was a difficult decision for Austin Phyfe to medically retire from basketball. Phyfe was limited two years ago by long COVID and missed all of last season due to blood clots in his lungs.

Jacobson says he supported Phyfe’s decision.

Jacobson says the former Waverly-Shell Rock standout will still be around the team.

Phyfe was a first team All-Missouri Valley selection in 2020.