Of all ISU athletics, no team has endured as much change over the last year as the men’s basketball team.

After another disappointing season where the Cyclones finished 10th in the Big 12 with a record of 4-12, 15-17 overall, the Cyclones were forced to retool with a new coaching staff and set of players.

Coach Greg McDermott departed Iowa State to take the coaching job at Creighton, while 11 of the players from the 2009-2010 team left, leaving just four returning players.

Former ISU stand-out Fred Hoiberg was quickly hired as McDermott’s successor April 27, becoming Iowa State’s 19th men’s basketball coach.

“It feels great to be home,” Hoiberg said. “Here I am, realizing my dreams. Fans, I want that atmosphere back, I need that atmosphere back, and it’s time to bring the magic back to Hilton Coliseum.”

All eyes will be on Hoiberg and how his first year goes, as his returning players from last season will be senior guards Diante Garret and Scott Christopherson, senior forward Jamie Vanderbeeken and redshirt freshman guard Bubu Palo.

The team did receive some help by way of transferred players. Former ISU forward Craig Brackins recruited friend and former Northern Illinois guard Jake Anderson to come play for the Cyclones.

Anderson enters Iowa State averaging double digits in scoring each of his three years in DeKalb, and could give the Cyclones a solid boost in scoring after having lost their leading scorer in Brackins.

Iowa State also added forwards Royce White and Anthony Booker, and guards Chris Babb and DeMarcus Phillips by way of transfer. Booker joins the Cyclones after two years at Southern Illinois while White will leave Minnesota to become a Cyclone.

White was ranked 19th overall in the 2009 recruiting class, and second among power forwards. After being heavily recruited by such schools as Arkansas, Illinois and Southern California, White chose Minnesota.

“Royce has the complete package to be an impact frontcourt player in the Big 12,” Hoiberg said. “He is a physical presence on the block, and he will also challenge defenders with his ability to shoot. I like his presence on the boards and he comes from a winning background.”

However, after never playing in a single game for the Gophers, and being suspended after pleading guilty to fifth degree theft and disorderly conduct, White left the team in December.

“I am aware of Royce’s situation at Minnesota,” Hoiberg said. “I have talked with a lot of people who are close to him, spoken with Royce in person multiple times and feel he is sincerely committed to meeting the expectations we have for our players. On one of his campus visits, Royce also met with institutional staff both inside and outside of the athletics department, and he left very positive impressions on everyone.”

In addition to these three transfers, the Cyclones added freshmen forwards Jordan Railey, Eric McKnight, Calvin Godfrey and Melvin Ejim.