Iowa basketball’s pursuit of one of the nation’s top point guards has officially come to an end, but the Hawkeyes aren’t walking away from the 2027 recruiting class empty-handed. Instead, Ben McCollum and his staff are already turning their full attention toward two other highly ranked floor generals who could reshape Iowa’s future.
Four-star point guard TJ Jamison, one of Iowa’s top priorities in the 2027 recruiting cycle, announced his commitment to Baylor, giving head coach Scott Drew another major recruiting victory. Jamison selected the Bears over a strong list of finalists that included Iowa, USC, Oklahoma, LSU, and Miami, ending months of recruiting battles involving several national programs.
The 6-foot-2 standout from Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, had become one of the most sought-after guards in the country thanks to his impressive combination of scoring ability, playmaking, and athleticism. Iowa made a serious push for his commitment and even hosted him for an official visit on June 14-15, but Baylor ultimately secured the talented prospect.
Jamison’s national reputation speaks for itself. According to Rivals, he ranks as the No. 34 overall player in the 2027 class, the No. 11 point guard nationally, and the top-ranked player in Louisiana. Those rankings made him one of the most valuable guards available, explaining why multiple powerhouse programs fought hard to land his commitment.
His performances this summer only strengthened that reputation. Competing on the highly competitive Nike EYBL Circuit with JL3, Jamison averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 36.4% from the field. His ability to create offense both for himself and his teammates made him one of the circuit’s most productive backcourt players.
Although missing out on Jamison is certainly disappointing for Iowa, the Hawkeyes remain in an excellent position with two other elite point guards who have quickly become priorities for McCollum’s coaching staff.
The biggest name on Iowa’s recruiting board is now Cayden Daughtry, whose remarkable rise this summer has turned him into one of the hottest prospects in the country. After an unforgettable showing at the prestigious Nike EYBL Peach Jam, Daughtry skyrocketed to No. 3 overall in the national 247Sports recruiting rankings, becoming one of the fastest-rising recruits in the entire 2027 class.
His Peach Jam numbers explain exactly why recruiting analysts moved him so high. Across eight games, Daughtry averaged an astonishing 32.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 steals per game. Even more impressive was his shooting efficiency, connecting on 58.6% of his field-goal attempts while knocking down 48.8% from three-point range.
Those performances have made Daughtry one of the nation’s most coveted prospects, but Iowa remains firmly in the race. The standout guard is scheduled to make an official visit to Iowa on September 12, a weekend that also features the annual Iowa-Iowa State football rivalry game, giving the Hawkeyes an opportunity to showcase both the basketball program and one of the university’s biggest athletic weekends.
Iowa is also heavily involved with another nationally ranked point guard, Jaxson Davis, who continues to keep the Hawkeyes among his top contenders.
According to 247Sports, Davis is ranked as the No. 35 overall player nationally, the No. 10 point guard, and the No. 1 player in Kansas. He recently narrowed his recruitment to six finalist schools, with Iowa successfully making the cut.
The Hawkeyes will have another opportunity to strengthen their position when Davis arrives for his official visit on September 19. Landing either Daughtry or Davis would provide Iowa with one of the nation’s premier point guards and help soften the blow of losing Jamison to Baylor.
For McCollum, recruiting momentum remains very much alive despite Sunday’s setback. Missing on one elite prospect is part of the recruiting process, especially when competing against nationally recognized programs like Baylor. What matters now is how Iowa capitalizes on the upcoming visits from Daughtry and Davis.
With two of the country’s highest-rated point guards still seriously considering the Hawkeyes, Iowa’s hopes of securing a cornerstone player for its 2027 recruiting class remain firmly intact. The next few months could prove pivotal as McCollum looks to turn strong relationships and official visits into commitments that shape the future of Iowa basketball.
