IOWA CITY, Iowa – 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball Jaidyn Coon has signed a scholarship agreement with the University of Iowa men’s basketball program, it was announced Wednesday by head coach Ben McCollum.
“I chose the University of Iowa for several reasons,” Coon said. “I trust Coach McCollum and the direction he’s taking this program. After having multiple conversations with him and learning how I’d fit into their system – how their style of play would help develop me into an even better player – I knew this was what I was looking for and striving toward.
“The culture was incredible during my official visit. The players were down-to-earth and welcoming, and everything felt genuine. After spending time with the coaches, staff and team, I knew I wanted to be a Hawkeye.”
Coon, a 6-foot-7, 200-pound guard/forward, is a four-star prospect and the 116th-ranked player nationally (No. 44 small forward) in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports Composite. He is the third-ranked player in the state of Iowa.
“Jaidyn is a great fit for our program as we continue to build on the foundation we’ve established,” said McCollum. “His athleticism is off the charts, and he’s a valuable defensive player with the ability to guard four positions. It’s important for us to keep the top players in state, so we’re extremely excited Jaidyn is a Hawkeye.”
The Storm Lake, Iowa, native is the second straight Iowa Mr. Basketball to join the program. Trevin Jirak earned the award in 2025 after leading Valley High School to the state title as a senior.
Coon is the second member of Iowa’s 2026 recruiting class, joining 6-foot-9 guard Ethan Harris, who signed in November. Harris is a four-star recruit out of Camas, Washington.
Jaidyn Coon
6-7, 200, Guard/Forward
Storm Lake, Iowa
Storm Lake High School
- 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball honoree after averaging 22 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals as a senior, while shooting 53.2 percent from the field, 29.8 percent from 3-point range and 64.1 percent from the free throw line
- Two-time first-team all-state and three-time all-conference selection… 2026 SportsZone Boys Basketball Player of the Year
- McDonald’s All-American nominee as a senior
- Led Storm Lake to a 24-3 record as a senior, a Class 3A Iowa State Tournament semifinal appearance and to the school’s first state tournament win since 1980
- Scored 36 points and had 18 rebounds in the state semifinal against ADM
- Finished as Storm Lake High School’s all-time leading scorer with 1,692 points, breaking a school record that had stood for 56 years… also had 733 rebounds, 225 assists, 132 steals and 112 blocks
- Averaged 23.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks, while shooting 55.7 percent (33.8 from 3-point range) and 68.2 percent from the line as a junior
- Led Storm Lake to a 22-2 record, to the program’s first state tournament appearance since 1994 and the first outright Lakes Conference title since 1980… the
- Averaged 19.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, two steals and 1.4 blocks as a sophomore and 13.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks as a freshman
- Led team from a 4-18 record as a freshman to 12-9 as a sophomore and a 46-5 combined mark as a junior and senior… team made back-to-back state tournament appearances
- Played AAU basketball for D1 Minnesota
