AMES – One day after Iowa State’s season ended in a 91-78 defeat by Ole Miss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, four Cyclones have entered their names in the transfer portal.
Redshirt senior center Dishon Jackson, junior guard Demarion Watson, redshirt freshman forward Kayden Fish and redshirt freshman center JT Rock all made the decision Monday.
Dishon Jackson
One of the “Presidents,” Jackson was a starter in 33 games this season. At an average of 18.7 minutes per game, Jackson tallied 8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
As the starting center, Jackson led the team in blocked shots with 37 and offensive rebounds with 69.
Jackson’s season-high in points was 17, which came against Jackson State and at home against Kansas. He also recorded three double-double performances, the first against Baylor, the second against Arizona on the road and his final one at home against Cincinnati.
The 6-foot 11-inch senior has played four seasons; two with Washington State, one with Charlotte and the most recent at Iowa State. Jackson, an Oakland, California, native, will use his final year of eligibility due to the COVID year elsewhere.
Demarion Watson
Watson made appearances in 18 games this season and had a bigger impact when players such as sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic and senior guards Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert were out with injuries or illnesses.
At an average of 8.9 minutes across those games, Watson averaged 1.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and totaled 11 blocked shots.
The 2024-25 season was Watson’s third at Iowa State, and it saw him take a dip in production. He had played in 29 games as a freshman and 34 as a sophomore.
Watson’s performance against UCF at home saw him score a season-high 11 points and reel in five boards in just 11 minutes. His best game as a Cyclone came in the 2023-24 season against Oklahoma, in which he scored a career-high 15 points and pulled in nine rebounds.
JT Rock
The tallest player on Iowa State’s roster at 7-feet 1-inch, Rock played in nine games in his freshman campaign.
His first appearance came in the season opener against Mississippi Valley State, in which he played four minutes. Rock averaged 2.3 minutes in his nine games, scored four points, had four rebounds and blocked one shot.
With head coach T.J. Otzelberger having Jackson, senior forward Brandton Chatfield and junior forward Joshua Jefferson doing work in the post, it was tough for Rock to see minutes, especially as a freshman looking for time against three upperclassmen.
Kayden Fish
For the second straight season, Fish has put his name in the transfer portal.
Like Rock, Fish saw action in nine games, scored six points and had three rebounds in those. His top game was in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against Lipscomb, where Fish played two minutes but had one of the most memorable moments towards the end.
Fish stole a pass, drove all the way down the court and finished at the rim. He was fouled on the shot and made the free throw to complete the and-one play. He also blocked a shot in the game, too.
