The Iowa State men’s basketball finds guidance and leadership within its five returning players to the Hilton Coliseum court for the 2025-2026 season.
With a season that ended in a 25-10 overall record and a team that experienced triumphs and upsets, the Cyclones lost meaningful players such as Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones to the NBA, two graduated seniors and six players transferred out of the program.
Heading into a new season, with a chip on their shoulder and nine new teammates, the core five returning players have developed new roles, new skills, new rotations and structure changes due to injuries before heading into a new season.
The Cyclones are in the current predicament of trying to navigate the season with senior guard Tamin Lipsey, who is an Ames native and in his last year at Iowa State. Lipsey is currently suffering from a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee, but is optimistic about making it back on the court soon.
“It’s definitely sad, just thinking about it, it’s my last year, it’s gone super fast,” Lipsey said. “I’m just trying to take advantage of the last year I have, hopefully be healthy, that’s one of my main goals this whole year. Win as many games as possible with this group of guys, make memories and try to just improve and set myself up for the future.”
Lipsey is the heart and soul of Cyclone basketball, as a prominent part of the team who averaged 10.6 points per game last season and was a leader in all areas on and off the court.
“Part of it goes into how much he impacts winning,” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “How much he stands for everything we believe in terms of character and leadership and what it means to be a Cyclone and put on that jersey.”
Although a tremendous amount of changes have been made throughout the team, the returning players are bringing the same grit, determination and skill that they have developed over their years as Cyclones.
Ending the 2024-2025 season, senior forward Joshua Jefferson was the second-highest scorer behind Jones with 454 and averaged 13 points a game. Redshirt senior guard Nate Heise ended his first season at Iowa State with the highest three-point field percentage at .409, with junior forward Milan Momcilovic following behind with a .396%.
Jefferson was the leading player with the most attempted free throws with 156, averaging 4.5 per game, and completed the most behind the charity stripe with 118. Jefferson grabbed the most rebounds in the previous season with 259 and averaged a team-high of 7.4 per game, finding the most success with defensive rebounds, as 193 made up his overall total.
“I know I play well, I think we are going to have a really good season,” Jefferson said. “So just reminding myself that I just have to continue bringing it every day in practice and games.”
Momcilovic is heading into his third year with a cardinal red and yellow jersey. With a strong love from behind the three-point marker, the Wisconsin native had a .396 percentage from downtown and averaged 11.5 points per game, ending the previous season with 321 points.
“I’m going into year three now, kinda older, so it’s like ‘Man, college is going by fast,’” Momcilovic said. “But I think now I just take a bigger role in offense, on this team, and hopefully things will go well.”
Although overlooked, junior guard Cade Kelderman is a consistent player on the team, with an average of 0.7 points per game; his strong suit is found more on the defensive edge. Although Kelderman was not seen a lot on the court last season, with an average of 5.5 minutes, he is someone who has continued to improve during his time as a Cyclone and is a team player who is able to get the job done when needed.
“I think that’s just always kinda been something I have, having that chip on my shoulder that I belong, I can contribute, I can do all that stuff,” Kelderman said. “Bringing that mindset every day to practice, every single game, knowing that I can affect winning out there.”
Known for their success in the transfer portal, the Cyclones took the 6-foot-5 Heise from Northern Iowa, proving Otzelberger’s theories and picks to be influential when adding transfers to the team. Heise appeared in all 35 games last season, and the Iowa State fans in the stands have seen his growth as a player and a person.
“I think that’s a big thing too, the off-court stuff and to think there’s a lot of lessons that can be translated to on the court and off the court,” Heise said. “Just reflecting on last year and all the growth that has been made, and looking into this year and all of the conversations I have had with teammates, family, coaches, Coach [Otzelberger], I think I just learned a lot about myself.”
Shooting 53.1% from the field last season and averaging 5.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals a game, Heise is known for his determination on the court and his willingness to grow in the upcoming season as well.
With three out of the five returning players graduating this school year, Heise summed up why this season is so important to so many players and Cyclone fans.
“Going into this year, I just feel like this is my last opportunity to play in college, so I am taking advantage of every moment I can,” Heise said.
