AMES, Iowa – Former Cyclone Keshon Gilbert has signed with the Washington Wizards as an undrafted free agent. Gilbert will begin his journey with the Wizards in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, being held July 10-20.
Hampered by injuries down the stretch, Gilbert missed six games with multiple injuries, including the final three games of the season. Gilbert was twice named a Big 12 player of the week last season, as he averaged 13.4 points, 4.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. He scored in double figures 20 times, including four games with 20 or more points. He scored a season-high 24 points against Dayton in the Maui Invitational and against No. 5 Marquette. Both performances came after a 23-point performance against No. 4 Auburn in the opening round of the Maui Invitational.
In 66 games at Iowa State, Gilbert averaged 13.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Gilbert was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and was the 2024 Big 12 Championship MVP.
AMES, Iowa – Former Iowa State All-American Curtis Jones has signed with the Denver Nuggets as an undrafted free agent. The Nuggets did not have any picks in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Jones will begin his journey with the Nuggets in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, being held July 10-20.
The 30th All-American in school history, Jones earned honorable mention honors from the Associated Press this past season. Jones was also named the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year and an All-Big 12 First Team selection, the first player in league history to earn both in the same season. Jones led the Cyclones in scoring with 17.4 points per game, while connecting on 88 3-pointers this season.
Jones, the best Sixth Man in America, came off the bench in 25 games this season. He averaged 17.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game off the bench. His 17.2 points per game off the bench this season are the most in the country for anyone coming off the bench, while he is one of just five players since 1996-97 to average 17 or more points off the bench in a season.
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former University of Iowa men’s basketball forward Payton Sandfort has agreed to a deal with NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Waukee, Iowa, native averaged 16.7 points and six rebounds en route to being named an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection as a senior. He scored in double figures in 27 games, which included a team-high 14 20-point contests.
Sandfort made a team-high 84 3-point field goals, including a career-high eight in his final collegiate game against Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament, tying a tournament record. He matched a career-high with 30 points in the contest.
Sandfort, who also was the recipient of the prestigious Chris Street Award for the 2024-25 season, finished his career ranking first in free throw percentage (.896), second in 3-point field goals (271) and 11th in scoring (1,619).
DES MOINES, Iowa [WHO-TV] – A special day at the ballpark is planned for families with members who have autism or sensory processing disorders this weekend at Principal Park. On Sunday, June 29th, the Autism Society of Iowa and ChildServe are hosting the second annual Sensory-Friendly Game at the Ballpark.
The event is designed to create an environment for those with sensory processing disorders. They mitigate as many sounds as they can, offer educational areas, directional signage, and trained volunteers. Calming rooms staffed by ChildServe therapists will be available for anyone who needs a break from the stimulus of the environment.
An addition for this year’s event is the chance for attendees to take pictures with Cubbie Bear and Alma from PBS Kids ahead of the game. That begins at noon in Suite 314.
The events kick off on Sunday at noon, and the Iowa Cubs’ first pitch against the Columbus Clippers is scheduled for 1:08 p.m. Tickets are approximately $13 and can be purchased here.
The Griswold/CAM Softball team defeated the Stanton Viqueens 13-3 in four innings in Sidney Thursday night to advance to the Corner Conference Championship game. Griswold/CAM cashed in ten of their 13 runs in the final two innings of the game. The 19-4 Griswold/CAM Tigers scored their thirteen runs on nine hits and four Stanton defensive miscues.
Griswold/CAM began their day at the plate reaching on an outfield error, followed by a walk. Freshman Ailey Wahlert stepped in and delivered a two-run double to put Griswold/CAM ahead 2-0. Wahlert scored the third run in the inning on a defensive error.
In the second, Stanton’s Brea Mitchell roped a double to deep center and was brought in off a Kiela Franzen base hit to right center. After the second, Griswold/CAM had a 3-1 run lead. Despite the scoreless inning, Head Coach Jody Rossell complimented the team’s effort.
Later on in the third, Stanton fed off two Griswold/CAM errors. The 1-2 punch of Quinn McDonald and Lily Ford came around to score to tie the game at three heading into the bottom of the third.
Griswold/CAM put their foot down and broke out for six runs on five hits, highlighted by a two-RBI double by Courtney Follmon. All of a sudden, a 9-3 ballgame in Sidney.
Griswold/CAM starting pitcher, Sadie Gohlinghorst put up a zero in the fourth in the circle including her fifth and final strikeout to retire the side.
In the bottom half of the fourth, Abby Gohlinghorst drew a leadoff walk and was driven in by Follman on a base hit for third RBI of the day. After that, back-to-back base hits ended the game in a four-inning mercy rule in a 13-3 final score.
Griswold/CAM improves to 19-4 on the season and solidifies their spot in the Corner Conference Championship Game Friday night.
Northern Iowa football coach Todd Stepsis says the depth at defensive line has improved since the start of summer workouts. That was an area of concern during spring drills as Stepsis gets ready for his first season as Panther coach.
Stepsis says depth is crucial, especially with all the no huddle and quick tempo offenses you see in college football.
Stepsis believes the Panthers will have enough depth up front to handle a demanding schedule.
The Panthers were 3-9 in the final season under long-time coach Mark Farley. They open August 30th at home against Butler.
The competition for playing time will be fierce for the Iowa Hawkeye women next season. A talented group of newcomers join six players who saw significant action a year ago for a team that finished 23-11 and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In the era of the transfer portal Iowa’s roster has remained very stable.
That’s Iowa coach Jan Jensen who says the Hawkeyes have a lot of flexibility with the current roster.